Construction work for the expansion of the Valmet Automotive Battery Test Center (BTC) in Bad Friedrichshall, Germany is progressing rapidly. The installation of six additional fireproof test rooms has largely been completed. Test operations are scheduled to start as early as September. The expansion of testing capacities for high-voltage batteries is taking place in parallel with the construction of Valmet Automotive’s first battery production facility in Germany. The plant, which is scheduled to start operations in 2022, is being built in Kirchardt, near Bad Friedrichshall.

Linked to this Valmet Automotive is further expanding its engineering activities for electromobility and creating new positions for engineers, technicians and various support functions in Germany.

Once, there were prototypes built in Hall 3 at Valmet Automotive’s Bad Friedrichshall side. That´s gone. Construction workers are currently carrying out the final work on the entire structure, which will then house the climate chambers. In total, the expansion area covers around 1,500 square meters, twice the area of the battery test center built next door in containers and opened just over a year ago.

Valmet automotive will further extend the capacity of endurance and life-cycle testing in the BTC covering the full scale of high-voltage batteries. Additionally, a new test station to ensure the required system tightness, is also being set up, as it is a crucial requirement for the battery system. In parallel, Valmet Automotive expands the associated test facility in Weihenbronn with the focus on abuse testing.

At these state-of-the art testing facilities cells, battery modules and complete battery systems are being tested for environmental compatibility as well as function and safety.

The additional test capacities are needed to cover the test requirements resulting from the battery production orders placed to Valmet Automotive. Delivery, installation and commissioning of the test rigs is scheduled for the summer, with test operations starting in September.

– The focus of our testing activities is clearly on the Tier 1 business of Valmet Automotive. With the extension of our battery test center at the Bad Friedrichshall site and the expansion of the test center in Weihenbronn with a focus on abuse testing, we can support this at its best, states Mathias Würges, VP Engineering.

To further expand its activities in Germany, Valmet Automotive is creating numerous new and highly qualified jobs in the rapidly growing e-mobility business. Among other things, engineers and experts are being sought for the development areas of battery systems, cell modules, battery design and high-voltage safety, as well as for the testing of battery systems.

For further information about Valmet Automotive’s current vacancies in Germany click here careers.valmet-automotive.com

Additional Information:

Frank Volk, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Valmet Automotive
+49 172 378 1569
frank.volk(at)valmet-automotive.com

Image bank available at https://www.valmet-automotive.com/media/www.valmet-automotive.com
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The Valmet Automotive Group is one of the largest vehicle contract manufacturers in the world, Tier 1 systems supplier for convertible roof systems and for battery systems. In its strategic development, Valmet Automotive Group focuses on electromobility with the development and manufacturing of battery modules as well as packs for electrified vehicles. The activities in the group are organized in three business lines: Manufacturing, EV Systems and Roof & Kinematic Systems. Since its founding in 1968, Valmet Automotive has produced more than 1.7 million vehicles at the Uusikaupunki, Finland plant. In Salo, near the Uusikaupunki plant, Valmet Automotive opened its first volume production of battery systems for the automotive industry in autumn 2019. The company has locations in Finland, Germany and Poland. Valmet Automotive’s largest shareholders are state-owned Finnish investment company Tesi and the Pontos Group, each with a stake of 38.46 %. 23.08 % is held by the Chinese Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), the world leading manufacturer of battery cells for electric vehicles.