Toyota Tsusho Corporation announced a US$46.65 million investment in Taiwan-based Ta Chen International, Inc. (TCI) through a third-party share placement, securing a 2% stake. The move aims to strengthen aluminum supply for electric vehicle (EV) battery components in North America, where demand continues to outpace supply.

TCI confirmed the partnership, noting discussions have been ongoing for nearly two years. Both companies will also explore closed-loop recycling, reusing aluminum scrap from manufacturing as raw material.

Toyota Tsusho highlighted that aluminum is critical for EV lightweighting and that this investment ensures a stable, long-term supply chain. In 2023, Toyota Tsusho and Fuji Spring jointly established FUJIHATSU and TOYOTSU Battery Components, North Carolina LLC (FTBC) in North Carolina to produce aluminum battery cases and covers, further anchoring its EV materials strategy.