Valmet completes 2nd major expansion of its German Battery Test Center (BTC)

Valmet Automotive recently announced the completion of the second major expansion of its Battery Test Center (BTC) in Bad Friedrichshall, Germany in a short period of time. The company claims to be running one of the most modern battery testing facilities for the automotive and the commercial vehicle industries at present. 

With an investment of around €15 million on the BTC since 2020, the test bench capacity has been more than doubled. In addition, a warehouse and logistics center were also set up, according to the company. With this equipment, the center can cover a wide range of services that EV makers may require of a battery system supplier.

Further investments are already in the scope, Valmet claims, based on the extension of the lease agreement for a further ten years in 2023. The focus will be on expanding service and analysis activities and intensifying product validation, particularly for battery systems used in trucks, buses, and off-highway vehicles.

Expansion is on the anvil for the company's Weihenbronn site as well, where the technology testing area and the product safety assurance testing capacity will be expanded.

"The expansion will enable us to provide the best possible support for our product development and series production of battery systems", said Site Manager Stefan Sommer, Director Testing, at the presentation of the Test Center to media representatives.

The Bad Friedrichshall BTC is currently offering testing services for battery performances, in terms of load cycles, customer driving profiles, energy and capacity tests, and voltage cycles. The center also conducts ervice life tests, thermal management tests, and environmental tests such as salt spray test, leak test, damp heat, and  chemical resistance tests. 

In the coming years, Valmet Automotive is expected to focus on battery systems for CVs and off-highway machinery meant for agricultural industry, mining and forestry. The company introduced its 'Modular Power Pack' in the market over two years ago and recently presented its 'Energy Pack' concept for these segments.

The heavy-duty segments differ considerably from the automotive industry in terms of performance requirements. This is also reflected in battery testing, especially in terms of performance and durability under extreme weather conditions, as well as higher power peaks, Valmet notes.