CS Energy Materials (CSEM), a joint venture between H.C. Stark and Japanese chemical company New Chisso Corp, has started production of cathode materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries. CSEM's newly built production facility, based in Minamata Japan, has successfully commenced test operations. In the near future, the plant will manufacture cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries, using a patent-pending manufacturing technology. Research and development of the cathode material and the manufacturing technology take place at the CSEM site in Goslar (Germany), at H.C. Starck's registered office. The plant is intended to supply industrial-scale volumes cathode materials to the electric and hybrid vehicle industry.