Valmet Automotive begins series production of EV batteries in Germany

Finnish company Valmet Automotive has started the series production of battery systems in Kirchardt, the company's first battery plant in Germany. The plant near Heilbronn manufactures high-voltage systems for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. 

The Kirchardt plant has commenced a small-series production of modules, packs and the battery management system (BMS) for the PHEV version of an exclusive sports car brand. Pre-series production for the first large volume order for another customer, a German OEM, is scheduled to start summer 2023, according to Valmet. 

"Since the start of production at our first battery plant in Salo, Finland, in 2019, we have delivered over 1 million battery systems for our customers' hybrid, plug-in and fully electric vehicles. The plant in Kirchardt, our first in Germany, will further strengthen Valmet Automotive as a leader in the production and development of battery systems, said Jyrki Nurmi, SVP of the EV Systems (EVS) business line, Valmet Automotive.

Valmet Automotive now operates three battery assembly plants, two of them in Finland at the Salo and Uusikaupunki sites. The battery production facility in Uusikaupunki, which opened in September 2021, is located under one roof with the local car plant. 

The battery assembly is embedded into a strong internal development and production network, claims Valmet. For instance, the battery modules for the Kirchardt production are produced in Uusikaupunki. 

The decision to build a battery assembly plant in Germany was made after Valmet Automotive was nominated by a German car manufacturer as the system supplier for a new battery program. The program requires battery assembly to take place close to the customer to save resources and to minimize transports.