Corporate Events

Cyto-Facto Inc. announced that it has received ¥1,200 million in a round of funding on June 13, 2025. The transaction included participation from returning investors, MPower Partners GP Limited, Asahi Kasei Corporation, new investors, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation. The company has issued common shares through third party allotment method and has raised ¥2,700 million in its funding till date.

Asahi Kasei has developed the TA Series of Sunfort dry film photoresist as a new product designed to meet growing demand in the field of advanced semiconductor packages used in applications such as artificial intelligence (AI) servers. This product is positioned as a strategic offering within Asahi Kasei's Material sector, aiming to strengthen its footprint in the rapidly growing market of next-generation chip packaging. The dry film delivers an ultra-high resolution with conventional stepper exposure systems and laser direct imaging (LDI) systems, which transfer circuit patterns onto substrates during packaging, contributing to enhanced performance and precision in back-end processes. Sunfort™? dry film photoresist is a mainstay of Asahi Kasei's Electronics business, comprising electronic materials and components. The entity is positioned as a First Priority business to drive growth under the medium-term management plan "Trailblaze Together," with an estimated 25% increase in operating profit between fiscal 2024 and 2027 as demand for electronic components continues to expand. Interposers serve as a bridge between chips and substrates and are used along with package substrates in advanced semiconductor packages. These components require a large area, high-multilayer structures, and increasingly sophisticated technologies for forming high-density microwiring. In photolithography, liquid resist has long been the mainstream photoresist material for the redistribution layer (RDL) due to its superior resolution. In contrast, dry film photoresist offers advantages for panel-level processing (which involves a larger surface area than conventional wafer-level processing), such as ease of handling and ease of processing on both the top and bottom sides of the substrate. Still, it has not been adopted for RDL formation due to limited resolution performance. Developed based on Asahi Kasei's long experience with photosensitive material and new material design, the TA Series enables fine wiring formation in panel-level packages and similar applications. The TA Series also allows patterning with a resist width of 1.0 um using LDI exposure in the 4 um pitch design required for RDL formation. The resulting fine resist pattern can be plated by a semi-additive process (SAP, a method for forming fine conductive patterns using partial electroplating), followed by resist stripping to form a 3 um wide plating pattern in a 4 um pitch design. Sunfort™? dry Film photoresist will continue to play a key role in developing panel-level packaging technology as panel sizes grow. The new TA Series allows manufacturers to achieve finer wiring with greater production efficiency, helping to reduce cost and increase yield in advanced semiconductor packaging. Asahi Kasei's TA Series comes at a pivotal time as demand in AI, automotive, and IoT markets grows.

The Board of Directors of Asahi Kasei Corp. has resolved to discontinue its businesses for methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin (product names: Delpet™? and Del powder™?), and SB (styrene-butadiene) latex, and to reconfigure the supply framework for acetonitrile (closure of refining plant in Kawasaki). As a result, Asahi Kasei expects to record business structure improvement expenses of approximately Y=25 billion as extraordinary loss in its financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Asahi Kasei expects To be determined after discussion with customers, The Japanese market to be supplied with acetonitrile from Tongsuh Petrochemical Corp. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary in South Korea.

Asahi Kasei Corporation announced Dividend for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2025, announced dividend guidance for the second quarter end of fiscal year ending march 31, 2026. For the year ended March 31, 2025, company announced dividend of ¥20 per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 against dividend of ¥18 per share an year ago. Total dividend amount: ¥27,193 million. Payment date: June 2, 2025. Date of record: March 31, 2025. For the second quarter end of fiscal year ending march 31, 2026, company expected to pay dividend of ¥20 per share against ¥18 per share paid an year ago.

Asahi Kasei Corporation provided Cash Dividend Guidance for the Fourth of Year Ending March 31, 2026 . For the quarter, company expected to pay JPY 20.00 per share against JPY 20.00 per share for the previous period.

Asahi Kasei Corporation provided earnings guidance earnings guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. For the year, the company expects Net sales to be JPY 1,512,000 Million, Operating income to be JPY 95,000 Million, Net Income attributable to owners of profit to be JPY 42,000 Million and Net income per share to be JPY 30.47.

Asahi Kasei Corporation, Annual General Meeting, Jun 25, 2025, at 10:00 Tokyo Standard Time. Location: Banquet room “Rose” (3F), Tokyo Kaikan 3-2-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan Agenda: To consider business report, consolidated financial statements and non-consolidated financial statements for the company’s 134th fiscal period (April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025); to consider results of audits of the consolidated financial statements by the independent auditors and the audit & supervisory board; to consider election of nine directors; to consider election of two audit & supervisory board members; to consider revision of amount of remuneration for directors.

Asahi Kasei Corporation, Board Meeting, May 09, 2025. Agenda: To consider the year-end dividend per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.

Asahi Kasei has started a joint demonstration with Nobian, Furuya Metal, and Mastermelt on the recycling of metals, including precious metals, used in the cells and electrodes incorporated in electrolyzers used for the production of caustic soda. Through this initiative started in February 2025, the partners will work towards building a recycling ecosystem for valuable metals in the chlor-alkali industry. For nearly five decades, Asahi Kasei has been a leader in the field of chlor-alkali electrolysis for the production of caustIC soda and chlorine. The company manufactures and supplies ion-exchange membranes, electrolysis cells, electrodes, and operation expertise for electrolyzer plants. Electrolyzers apply an electric current that is used to split salt water (brine) into chlorine, hydrogen, and caustic soda, which are then used in a broad variety of chemical products. Precious metals such as iridium and ruthenium are used to produce electrodes and other components for electrolysis systems. With increasing global demand for these materials, Asahi Kasei have been advancing initiatives with partners to ensure a stable and secure supply of these metals. One such example is a demonstration project of an electrolysis cell rental service in Europe. Running since 2023 in collaboration with Nobian, a manufacturer of caustic soda and other essential chemicals, this project focuses on the reuse of precious metals. Asahi Kasei's joint recycling project with Nobian, as well as with recycling specialists Furuya Metal and Mastermelt, aims to establish a recycling process inside the chlor-alkali industry that refines metals from cells and electrodes that have reached the end of their service life and reuses them as raw materials for the production of new components within the industry. It is expected that this may also be applied to components of Asahi Kasei's electrolysis system for producing green hydrogen using clean energy. In this project, Asahi Kasei will first collect end-of-life electrodes from Nobian and provide them to Mastermelt and Furuya Metal which will perform the removal of the catalyst from the electrodes, preparation of the material for the next process step, and the extraction and purification of precious metals from the catalyst. In the final step, Asahi Kasei uses the precious metals for a new catalyst, which is then utilized for the coating of electrodes. By using these recycled catalytic electrodes, Nobian will conduct brine electrolysis, thereby enabling resource recycling in the production of caustic Soda and chlorine.

Asahi Kasei Corporation, 2025 Earnings Call, May 09, 2025

Asahi Kasei has established Asahi Kasei Life Science to operate its bioprocess businesses under a new organizational structure. Through this change, the company can offer the industry more agile and focused services, deeper innovation in bioprocess solutions, and stronger support in emerging modalities. As part of the evolving pharmaceutical ecosystem, where multiple stakeholders are involved in drug development and manufacturing, Asahi Kasei's bioprocess-related business units have operated under Asahi Kasei Life science since April 1st of this year. This includes virus removal filters Planovatm and Microfilters BioOptimaltm, its contract research organization (CRO) testing services performed by ViruSure of Austria, acquired in 2019, and Bionique Testing Laboratories (Bionique) of the U.S., acquired in 2021, as well as the U.S.-based biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Bionova Scientific (Bionova), acquired in 2022. Asahi Kasei life Science covers a broad range of bioprocess products and services. Planovatm virus removal filters and equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products contribute to improved safety and productivity for antibody drugs, plasma derivatives, and nucleic acid drugs. Recently launched products such as Planovatm's FG1 and THESYStm SCS and ACS Columns are already highly valued by customers. In line with the strategic expansion of its Healthcare business sector, Asahi Kasei has expanded its production and service capabilities for its bioprocess-related Business throughout the past years. In 2023, the company scaled its facility in Glenview, Illinois, to fuel innovation and meet growing market needs for fluid management equipment and virus filtration technology. In 2024, a new assembly plant for Planovatm was completed in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan to further ensure stable supply in response to the growing global demand. Furthermore, Asahi Kasei decided to launch its plasmid DNA business under Bionova and establish a new pDNA facility in Texas. The business is expected to grow by providing solutions for new modalities such as cell and gene therapy. Asahi Kasei LifeScience will continue proactive investment in these products to drive innovation and reinforce its leadership in the field.

Quemix Inc. in collaboration with Asahi Kasei Corporation, the University of Tokyo, and a research group at the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), has successfully demonstrated the potential of aluminum nitride for new applications by performing quantum chemical calculations using a hybrid computing system that combines Quantinuum's quantum computer and a supercomputer at the Institute for Solid State Physics of the University of Tokyo. This is the world's first attempt (as of the end of February 2025, based on a survey of published papers, according to Quemix) to execute an algorithm for FTQC on a logic bit using a quantum error detection code on an actual quantum computer.

Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Veloxis) and an Asahi Kasei company, has announced that the United States Adopted Name (USAN) Council has approved the nonproprietary (generic) name "pegrizeprument" for its lead transplant candidate, VEL-101, a novel investigational maintenance immunosuppressive agent. The USAN Council, which includes experts from the American Medical Association, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention and the Food and Drug Administration, provides clear, standardized drug names that facilitate communication among healthcare professionals, patients, and researchers worldwide. Adopting pegrizeprument ensures consistent and reliable drug identification, helping reduce medication errors, enhance patient safety, and streamline drug identification for healthcare providers. This new generic name also highlights the importance of international drug recognition – ensuring clarity across markets regardless of the brand name under which the drug is intended to be marketed.

From January 1, 2025 to February 12, 2025, the company has repurchased 2,812,900 shares, representing 0.21% for ¥2,920.47 million. With this, the company has completed the repurchase of 28,180,100 shares, representing 2.04% for ¥29,999.95 million under the buyback announced on November 1, 2024.

The company closed its plan on February 12, 2025.

Asahi Kasei Corporation provided earnings guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. For the year, the company expects net sales of JPY 3,044,000 million, operating income of JPY 200,000 million, net income attributable to owners of the parent of JPY 110,000 million and net income per share of JPY 79.47.

Asahi Kasei Corporation announced that they will report fiscal year 2025 results on May 09, 2025

Asahi Kasei Corporation, Q3 2025 Earnings Call, Feb 05, 2025

Asahi Kasei Corporation has announced a Fixed-Income Offering in the amount of ¥30 billion. Security Name: 1.066% Unsecured Straight Bonds due December 03, 2031 Security Type: Corporate Bond/Note (Non Convertible) Principal Amount: ¥30 billion Price\Range: 100% Security Features: Unsecured Coupon Type: Fixed

Asahi Kasei has received governmental support for the expansion of its manufacturing capacity for cell frames and membranes of alkaline water electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen at its plant site in Kawasaki, Japan. The purpose is to establish a stable domestic manufacturing supply chain for technologies that contribute to achieving the country’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Driven by expectations for green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels, the annual installed capacity of water electrolyzers globally is forecasted to reach 31 GW by 2030. As such, the manufacturing capacity for electrolyzers and related components needs to be scaled up in order to keep pace with the expanding demand for the production of hydrogen. For decades, Japan has been a leader in the field of technology for hydrogen production and utilization. Green hydrogen is one important cornerstone of the country’s “Green Transformation (GX)” strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As one part of this strategy, the “GX Supply Chain Construction Support Project” aims at establishing a world’s first domestic manufacturing supply chain for cutting-edge technologies that will contribute to achieving Japan’s climate goals, while nurturing economic growth. Increasing annual production capacity to 2 GW: Asahi Kasei is a comprehensive manufacturer and provider of alkaline water electrolyzers for the production of hydrogen. Within the abovementioned governmental program, Asahi Kasei proposed to build new plants for both cell frames and membranes for electrolysis having manufacturing capacity of at least 2 GW each at the company’s plant site in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, by 2028. On December 18, the Japanese Government adopted this proposal for financial support. The total capital investment for this project is estimated to be approximately ¥35 billion, and Asahi Kasei expects to receive a subsidy of up to ¥11.4 billion through this initiative. Including the current manufacturing capacity for Asahi Kasei’s ion-exchange membrane chlor-alkali electrolysis process, this expansion will raise the company’s total annual capacity for cell frames and membranes to more than 3 GW. Asahi Kasei aims to create synergies between its two electrolysis businesses by establishing a system that can respond to both the uncertain expansion of the hydrogen market and the growing demand in the chlor-alkali electrolysis business, which has earned a high level of trust and market share from customers around the world.

Asahi Kasei Corporation has announced a Fixed-Income Offering in the amount of ¥20 billion. Security Name: 0.949% Unsecured Straight Bonds due December 03, 2029 Security Type: Corporate Bond/Note (Non Convertible) Principal Amount: ¥20 billion Price\Range: 100% Security Features: Unsecured Coupon Type: Fixed

Asahi Kasei Corporation has announced a Fixed-Income Offering in the amount of ¥20 billion. Security Name: 0.841% Unsecured Straight Bonds due December 03, 2027 Security Type: Corporate Bond/Note (Non Convertible) Principal Amount: ¥20 billion Price\Range: 100% Security Features: Unsecured Coupon Type: Fixed

From November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, the company has repurchased 25,367,200 shares, representing 1.83% for ¥27,079.49 million. With this, the company has completed the repurchase of 25,367,200 shares, representing 1.83% for ¥27,079.49 million under the buyback announced on November 1, 2024.

On December 17, 2024, AM Batteries, Inc. closed the transaction. The company has received $44,012,984 in the transaction. As on the same date, the company received $14,012,984 in its third and final tranche. The transaction included participation from 18 investors

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corporation marked a significant step in its commitment to supporting the North American electric vehicle (EV) market by breaking ground on its new lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing facility in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The plant is expected to begin commercial production in 2027, subject to obtaining permits and approvals from relevant authorities. It is planned to operate as a joint venture facility between Asahi Kasei and Honda. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on November 14, welcomed several government officials as well as Asahi Kasei andH Honda executives. The facility, expected to create more than 300 full-time jobs in the first phase, will have the capacity to produce approximately 700 million square meters of coated lithium-ion battery separator per year. The coated battery separator is a vital component of the battery that keeps the positive and negative electrodes from touching, preventing short circuits, while allowing lithium ions to pass through, which allows energy to be stored. The project will move into visible construction phases in the coming months, including structural development and utility connections to support the building. The Port Colborne plant will effectively be Canada's first large-scale wet-process separator facility, strengthening Asahi Kasei's energy storage business and contributing to its growth strategy. The battery separators play a critical role in lithium-ion batteries, enabling higher energy density and long-term durability, essential for EVs and other energy storage applications. Asahi Kasei has already started local hiring, with more than five employees supporting the project's startup phase. In September, the company held a community open house at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre in Port Colborne, offering a venue for the community to learn more about the project and upcoming career opportunities. Asahi Kasei is committed to local engagement and economic growth and has begun earthworks using provincial companies and contractors.

Asahi Kasei Corporation announced dividend for the second quarter September 30, 2024 of JPY 18.00 per share compared to JPY 18.00 per share a year ago.

Asahi Kasei Corporation provided consolidated earnings guidance for the period April 1, 2023 to­ March 31, 2024. For the period, the company expects net sales to be JPY 3,071,000 operating income to be JPY 195,000 net income attributable to owners of the parent to be JPY 190,000 and net income per share to be JPY 79.90.

The Board of Directors of Asahi Kasei Corporation has authorized a buyback plan on November 1, 2024.

Asahi Kasei Corporation (TSE:3407) announces a share repurchase program. Under the program, the company will repurchase up to 35,000,000 shares of its common stock, representing 2.52% of its issued share capital, for ¥30,000 million. The purpose of the plan is to enhance shareholder returns and improve capital efficiency. The plan will be valid up to February 28, 2025. As on September 30, 2024, the company had 1,387,826,993 shares outstanding and 6,105,039 shares in its treasury.

Asahi Kasei Medical has launched the Planova™ FG1, a next-generation virus removal filter featuring higher flux for the manufacture of biotherapeutics, in October 2024. The bioprocess business of Asahi Kasei Medical comprises Planova™ virus removal filters and equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products such as biopharmaceuticals and plasma derivatives, biosafety testing services, and biopharmaceutical CDMO operations. It is one of the Asahi Kasei Group’s businesses to drive future growth. Sold since 1989, Planova™ had its product lineup expanded in 2009 with the launch of Planova™ BioEX hydrophilic PVDF hollow-fiber membrane filters, and in 2022 with the launch of Planova™ S20N next-generation cellulose hollow-fiber membrane filters, meeting heightened standards for the viral safety of biotherapeutics around the world. The new Planova™ FG1 is expected to further contribute to improved productivity as demand for monoclonal antibodies and other biopharmaceuticals steadily grows by 5–10% per year. Developed to maximize productivity in the process of manufacturing biopharmaceuticals, Planova™ FG1 provides high performance in terms of the filtration speed and robustness in virus removal capability. Its high flux is approximately 7 times that of Planova™ BioEX, enabling virus filtration time to be shortened, and it features less risk of virus breakthrough when the filtration process is suspended. Customer evaluation in the development stage of Planova™ FG1 confirmed high protein filtration and virus removal performance under various conditions using several solutions, even without a prefilter to remove aggregates. Planova™ FG1 is also compatible with standard cleaning in place (CIP) and sterilization in place (SIP) processes, allowing it to be used with many types of existing equipment for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Following the October 2024 start of mass production and shipment of smaller filters of Planova™ FG1, Asahi Kasei Medical will successively extend the product lineup with new filters having larger surface areas to support its customers in efficiently scaling up their process. By adding Planova™ FG1 to its broad lineup of products, Asahi Kasei Medical will further solidify the presence of the Planova™ brand among biopharmaceutical manufacturers and contribute to the safer and more efficient production of pharmaceuticals.

Asahi Kasei Corporation announced that they will report Q3, 2025 results on Feb 05, 2025

Asahi Kasei Corporation (Asahi Kasei) and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) announced that the two companies have signed a shareholders’ agreement to convert an existing Asahi Kasei subsidiary in Canada into a joint venture company. This agreement was reached as a result of continued discussions on collaboration for the production of lithium-ion battery separators in Canada based on the basic agreement the two companies announced on April 25, 2024. The two companies plan to convert E-Materials Canada Corporation (E-Materials), a wholly owned subsidiary of an Asahi Kasei subsidiary in Canada, into a joint venture between Asahi Kasei and Honda to be renamed Asahi Kasei Honda Battery Separator Corporation (tentative name). This will be based on Honda Canada Inc., a Honda subsidiary in Canada, acquiring a 25% stake by subscribing to new shares to be issued by E-Materials through a third-party allotment. Honda will invest a total of approximately CAD 417 million (approximately USD 300 million) combining the subscription of new shares and other investment in this joint venture. The two companies will combine each other’s strengths, such as high value-added material technologies and electrification technologies, to produce high-quality separators to be utilized for lithium-ion batteries that will accelerate the realization of high-performance electrified vehicles. The two companies plan to establish and start the operation of the joint venture company in early 2025, subject to obtaining permits and approvals from relevant authorities.

Asahi Kasei Corporation, Q2 2025 Earnings Call, Nov 01, 2024

Asahi Kasei recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Aquafil S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer of polyamide 6 (PA6). The two companies agreed to develop a novel material for 3D printing (3DP) applications utilizing Aquafil’s ECONYL® Polymer chemically recycled PA6 and Asahi Kasei’s cellulose nanofiber (CNF), with the support of ITOCHU Corporation, which has made a capital investment in Aquafil. Pellets or filaments of this compound achieve superior formability and strength, which make them suitable for use in automotive and aeronautical applications. ECONYL® Polymer is a chemically recycled PA6 derived from post and pre-consumer waste. Utilizing polyamide waste such as used fishing nets, old carpets, industrial waste and so on, the material is first depolymerized into monomers, and then re-polymerized into ECONYL® Polymer chips. Asahi Kasei’s CNF is made from cotton linter and features high heat resistance and network-forming ability. Furthermore, CNF has superior material recyclability compared to glass fiber. The new CNF/ECONYL® Polymer compound features excellent formability and strength especially in 3DP usage, and Asahi Kasei sees a great potential in high-performance applications mainly in the automotive and aeronautical fields. Asahi Kasei plans to begin trial sales of filament of the new compound material in the EU, US, and Japan in third quarter 2025. The new material will be showcased at the upcoming Fakuma (15-19 October, 2024 Germany), Sustainable Material Expo (29-31 October, 2024 Japan), and Formnext (19-22 November, 2024 Germany).

Rege Nephro Co., Ltd. announced that it will receive ¥25,000 million in a round of funding led by new investor, DCI Partners Co., Ltd. on October 7, 2024. The transaction will include participation from mix of strategic investors including new investors, JIC Venture Growth Investments Co., Ltd., Nippon Venture Capital Co., Ltd., Tohoku University Venture Partners Co.,Ltd., Golden Asia Fund Venture Ltd., Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Global Brain Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd., Industrial Technology Investment Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd., Chushin Venture Capital Co., Ltd., Senshu Ikeda Capital Co., Ltd., Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corporation, QB Capital, LLC and i-Lab CVC1 Limited Liability Partnership, and returning investor, Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd., JAFCO Group Co., Ltd., and other investors. On the same date, the company has received ¥22,500 million in its first tranche. The company has raised a total of ¥44,000 million in funding till date.

Asahi Kasei introduced a new material solution for enhanced EV battery safety. A flame-retardant and highly flexible nonwoven fabric, LASTAN™ is an outstanding alternative to conventional materials for thermal runaway protection. It can be utilized in top covers, busbar protection sleeves, and other applications within the EV battery pack. Although electric vehicles are becoming more common worldwide, battery safety is still a major concern for many car users. According to the latest “Asahi Kasei Automotive Consumer Survey,” 34% of non-EV owners in China see improved safety as a primary consideration in buying an electric vehicle. Against this background, global OEMs seek to further raise the safety of EV batteries, and the market for materials to prevent thermal runaway is expected to grow by some 15% annually from 2024 onward, with even further expansion of demand in the future (IDTechEX: “Fire Protection Materials for Electric Vehicle Batteries 2024–2034”). In this context, there is increasing demand for materials in EV battery cover applications having excellent resistance against flames and particle blasts, as well as good electrical insulation properties. While mineral-based materials are generally used as protection against thermal runaway at present, such materials tend to be heavy and brittle. Being stiff, these materials are difficult to adapt to complex shapes, making processability an issue for automotive OEMs. LASTAN™ is a non-mineral flame-resistant fabric made by air baking a special acrylic fiber at 200–300°C. It is characterized by high flame resistance and good electrical insulation, which are further improved by a special coating process that also augments abrasion resistance. This allows the material to provide effective protection against particle bombardment from venting gas. With these exceptional characteristics, LASTAN™ has been used for many years as an optimal material for failure prevention and safety in various industries. Even when a 1,300°C flame is applied, the temperature on the opposite side of LASTAN™ remains below 400°C. While a “limiting oxygen index” (LOI) value of 27 or higher is generally considered to indicate flame retardance, this material has an LOI value of 50 or higher. In UL94 flame retardance testing, LASTAN™ has obtained the highest rating of 5VA. No holes are formed in LASTAN™ even when it is exposed to a flame of 1,300°C for one minute. In addition to its high flame resistance, LASTAN™ is resistant to high-pressure impact by particles of 200–500 µm. It also provides electrical insulating capacity of up to 3.5 kV at a thickness of 1 mm. LASTAN™ also features outstanding processability, being highly flexible while maintaining its performance characteristics in sheets as thin as 0.8 mm. This makes it easily processed with ordinary tools, contributing to a simplified manufacturing process. Having integrated production of LASTAN™ currently in Japan, Asahi Kasei is considering production in the United States and other countries in the future. The company will exhibit the new LASTAN™ grade at the North American Battery Show from October 7 to 10, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan.

Asahi Kasei Corporation (TSE:3407) made an offer to acquire Calliditas Therapeutics AB (publ) (OM:CALTX) from BVF Partners, Linc AB (publ), Stiftelsen Industrifonden and other shareholders for SEK 11.2 billion on May 27, 2024. Under the terms, Asahi Kasei is acquiring all the outstanding shares of common stock, quota value of SEK 0.04 per share of Calliditas (the “Shares”) for SEK 208 in cash per Share (the “Offer”). The Offer also includes a concurrent offer by Asahi Kasei to acquire all outstanding American Depositary Shares of Calliditas, each representing two Shares (the “ADSs”) for SEK 416 in cash per ADS, which will be conducted pursuant to the securities rules of the United States. The total value of the Offer corresponds to SEK 11,164 million. Pursuant to the Offer, Asahi Kasei is expected to commence a tender offer on or around July 18, 2024, to acquire all of the outstanding Shares and ADSs of Calliditas. BVF Partners, Linc AB (publ) and Stiftelsen Industrifonden, the three largest Securityholders of Calliditas together with other large Securityholders, whose combined interest in the Company represents approximately 44.65% of the total number of shares, have entered into undertakings with the Offeror to accept the Offer, subject to certain conditions. The Board has, as part of its process to evaluate the Offer and in line with its fiduciary duties, investigated other opportunities in light of the approach by the Offeror. The Board has been in contact with other potential bidders in order to evaluate a superior offer. The Board also notes that the Offer is not subject to any financing condition and the Offer consideration payable to shareholders and ADS holders of Calliditas that accept the Offer is financed in full by cash on hand. In the event that Asahi Kasei, whether in connection with the Offer or otherwise, becomes the owner of more than 90% of the shares in Calliditas, Asahi Kasei intends to commence a compulsory buy-out procedure in respect of the remaining shares in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act (Sw. aktiebolagslagen (2005:551)) as well as promote a delisting of the shares from Nasdaq Stockholm and the ADSs from Nasdaq Global Select Market. No commission will be charged by Asahi Kasei in respect of the settlement of the Offer. The Board of Directors of Calliditas Therapeutics AB (publ) unanimously recommends that the shareholders and holders of American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) of Calliditas Therapeutics AB (publ) (jointly the “Securityholders”) accept the public tender offer by Asahi Kasei Corporation. Completion of the Offer is conditional upon customary conditions including, amongst other things, the Tender Offer is subject to the tendering of at least 90% of the total outstanding shares of Calliditas common stock (excluding treasury shares) on a fully diluted basis the acceptance by shareholders owning > 90% of our shares and receipt of all necessary regulatory, governmental or similar clearances, approvals in France, Sweden, the United States and decisions, including from competition authorities and agencies screening foreign direct investments, in each case on terms that, in the Offeror’s opinion, are acceptable. Asahi Kasei has reserved the right to waive, in whole or in part, these and other conditions for completion of the Offer. Asahi Kasei has also reserved the right to shorten the acceptance period and set an earlier settlement date as well as to extend the acceptance period and to postpone the settlement date, as may be permissible under applicable laws and regulations. Calliditas not taking any action that is intended to impair the prerequisites for making or completing the Offer; and no other party announcing an offer to acquire shares or ADSs in Calliditas on terms that are more favourable to the shareholders or ADS holders of Calliditas than the terms of the Offer. The Offer requires filings under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended, as well as from agencies screening foreign direct investments such as the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products and the Bureau Multicom 4 of the Ministry of Economy’s Treasury Department in France. The potential deal has been approved by the board of directors of the two companies. Asahi Kasei reserves the right to withdraw the Offer in the event that it is clear that any of the above conditions is not satisfied or cannot be satisfied. The transaction is expected to close in Q3, subject to any extensions. The acceptance period of the Offer is expected to commence on or around July 18, 2024 and expire on or around August 30, 2024, subject to any extensions. Asahi Kasei strongly believes this transaction will accelerate its transformation into a global specialty pharmaceutical business by unlocking the potential of existing business operations and human resources of Calliditas. As of July 17, 2024, Asahi Kasei publishes the offer document for the recommended public cash offer to the shareholders and ADS holders of Calliditas. Assuming that the Offer is declared unconditional not later than September 2, 2024, settlement is expected to commence on or around September 9, 2024. Asahi Kasei reserves the right to shorten the acceptance period and set an earlier settlement date as well as to extend the acceptance period and to postpone the settlement date. As of August 13, 2024, Asahi Kasei has prepared the supplement to the Offer Document (the “Supplement”) due to Calliditas’ publication of its interim report for the period January - June 2024. As of August 30, 2024, Asahi Kasei Corporation acquired 93.3% stake in Calliditas Therapeutics AB, of which 83.37% has been acquired through tender offer and 9.93% has been acquired outside the offer. As of September 3, 2024, AKC amended Schedule TO disclosing, among other things, final results of the Offer and the satisfaction of the Offer conditions. AKC also disclosed that, on September 2, 2024, it accepted for purchase 1,028,600 ADSs, representing 2,057,200 Shares, and 42,988,491 Shares, for a total of 45,045,691 Shares. As per the transaction, Asahi Kasei has decided to commence a subsequent offering period that will expire on September 13, 2024. Lazard AB (“Lazard”) is acting as financial advisor and provided fairness opinion to Calliditas. Dain Hård Nevonen, Linnéa Sellström, William Kåge, Benjamin Vafaeian and Daniel Wendelsson of Advokatfirman Vinge KB (Swedish counsel) and Rita Patel, Keith Ranta, Jamie Knox, Paolo Morante, Semin O and Ting Xiao of DLA Piper LLP (international counsel) are acting as legal advisors to Calliditas in connection with the Offer. Lazard’s total fee as financial advisor is contingent on the size of the Offer consideration and whether the Offer is completed. Lazard will receive a fixed fee for providing this opinion, which is payable upon delivery of this opinion and creditable against Lazard’s total fee. MTS Health Partners LP and Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. are serving as the financial advisor to Asahi Kasei on the transaction. Fredrik Palm, Niclas Rockborn, Andreas Holmqvist and Foad Hoseinian, Erika Olofsson of Gernandt & Danielsson Advokatbyrå and Benet J. O’Reilly, Adam J. Brenneman, and Kimberly R. Spoerri of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton are serving as the legal advisers to Asahi Kasei in connection with the transaction. Asahi Kasei Corporation (TSE:3407) completed the acquisition of 98.4% stake in Calliditas Therapeutics AB (publ) (OM:CALTX) from BVF Partners, Linc AB (publ), Stiftelsen Industrifonden and other shareholders on September 13, 2024.

24M Technologies, Inc. announced that it will issue 55,000,000 series H preferred shares at a par value of $0.001 per share on August 30, 2024. The shares are convertible, and redeemable.

24M Technologies, Inc. announced that it has received $87 million in a round of funding led by new investor, Nuovo Plus Company Limited on September 5, 2024. The transaction included participation from new investors, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Lucas TVS Limited, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., returning investor, Kyocera Corporation. The company issued Series H Preferred Stock during the transaction. The company has raised over $500 million in funding till date. The transaction was raised at a post-money valuation of $1,300 million.

Asahi Kasei Corporation revised earnings guidance for the period April 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024. For the period, the company expects revised Net sales of JPY 1,501,000 million, Operating income of JPY 95,000 million, Net income attributable to owners of the parent of JPY 53,000 million and Net income per share of JPY 38.23 compared to previous guidance of Net sales pf JPY 1,428,000 million, Operating income of JPY 80,000 million, Net income attributable to owners of the parent of JPY 40,000 million and Net income per share of JPY 28.86. Reason for revision: Net sales, operating income, and ordinary income are expected to be higher than previously forecasted with improved terms of trade due to the weaker yen and greater shipments due to recovery in demand, centered in the Material segment. Net income attributable to owners of the parent is also expected to be higher than previously forecasted due to the aforementioned factors as well as gain on sale of investment securities, etc.

Asahi Kasei Corporation announced that they will report Q2, 2025 results at 12:00 PM, Tokyo Standard Time on Nov 01, 2024

Cambridge Enertech, Inc., Advanced Automotive Battery Conference, Dec 09, 2024 through Dec 12, 2024. Venue: Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.