Asahi Kasei is a pioneer in the field of modern battery technology. Everything started when Asahi Kasei researcher Dr. Akira Yoshino developed the first working prototype of a lithium-ion battery in 1983. Today, the company is a market-leading supplier of lithium-ion battery separators, as well as for engineering plastics and foams for structural battery components. In addition, the company is also active in the research and development of acetonitrile-based electrolytes.