Sekisui Chemical Eyes Sharp's Osaka Plant for Next-Generation Solar Cell Production
TOKYO — Sekisui Chemical Co. is exploring the possibility of acquiring part of Sharp Corp’s plant in Osaka Prefecture, with plans to transform the facility into a cutting-edge production hub for next-generation solar cells, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The Japanese chemical company intends to manufacture perovskite solar cells at the site. These advanced solar batteries are notable for their thin, lightweight, and flexible characteristics, enabling their installation on surfaces that traditional solar cells cannot adhere to, such as curved surfaces and building facades.
Perovskite solar technology has garnered significant interest recently due to its potential to enhance solar power generation substantially. The Japanese Ministry of Industry is expected to support the project with subsidies, given its alignment with national decarbonization goals, sources indicate.
Perovskite cells are primarily composed of iodine, and Japan ranks as the world's second-largest producer of this element. This domestic supply advantage is another factor fueling Japan’s support for the technology, which aligns with the country's efforts to bolster economic security.
A Sekisui Chemical representative declined to comment on the potential acquisition, stating, "We cannot comment on the reported plan as nothing has been decided yet."
Last month, Sharp halted the production of large liquid crystal display (LCD) panels at its Sakai plant due to ongoing losses in the unprofitable sector. This facility was Japan's sole LCD panel manufacturing plant.
In June, Sharp announced plans to repurpose part of the plant into one of Asia’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) data centers as part of its strategic business realignment. Additionally, SoftBank Corp is in discussions with Sharp to acquire a portion of the factory for its own AI data center development.
According to sources, the segment of the plant Sekisui Chemical is interested in does not conflict with the areas Sharp and SoftBank are targeting. Sekisui Chemical also intends to utilize some of the existing equipment at the site, including clean rooms, to facilitate the transition to solar cell production.