Core Viewpoint - Asahi Kasei has positioned hydrogen energy as a strategic growth area in its latest mid-term management plan, emphasizing its importance in driving future growth in the materials business [3][6]. Group 1: Hydrogen Energy Business Strategy - Hydrogen energy is defined as a strategic cultivation direction in Asahi Kasei's mid-term management plan, serving as a key pillar for the company's growth [6]. - The company plans to invest resources into the hydrogen business through technological innovation, business model upgrades, and digital empowerment [6]. - Asahi Kasei aims to expand its salt electrolysis business into water electrolysis, enhancing internal collaboration while actively seeking external partnerships [6]. Group 2: Market Position and Opportunities in China - China is recognized as a significant market for green hydrogen, with government policies promoting the development of green hydrogen technology and application systems [7]. - Asahi Kasei acknowledges China's strategic importance in its global layout, leveraging its existing salt electrolysis business to meet water electrolysis demand [7]. Group 3: Product Development and Application Scenarios - The company is developing a containerized alkaline water electrolysis system in collaboration with De Nora, targeting distributed energy needs with capacities ranging from 1 to 7.5 MW [8]. - Asahi Kasei is assessing market conditions for product scalability and is providing entry-level equipment to customers to facilitate the adoption of larger systems as hydrogen demand grows [8]. Group 4: Experience and Future Plans - Asahi Kasei has established a 10 MW alkaline water electrolysis demonstration facility in Japan, achieving over 11,000 hours of continuous operation, which has provided valuable operational experience [9]. - The company plans to build a production facility with an annual capacity of 2 GW by 2028 in Kawasaki to support global project deployment [9]. - Asahi Kasei emphasizes the need for local market cooperation mechanisms and conditions for the successful implementation of hydrogen energy projects [9].