US-based safety and certification organization UL Solutions has opened its Europe Advanced Battery Testing Laboratory in Aachen, Germany to test batteries used in electric vehicles, expanding the company’s battery technology testing capabilities and its European footprint.

The lab provides testing, simulation and certification services addressing automotive and stationary battery research, safety and performance.

Driven by increasing demand for reliable battery testing services, the facility was purpose-built to evaluate EV and industrial battery products during the research and development phases of battery manufacturing. The facility will also offer comprehensive evaluations of finished products to determine whether they meet safety and performance requirements.

The new lab replaces a smaller leased facility that was part of the company’s 2024 acquisition of battery testing and simulation firm BatterieIngenieure. That acquisition increased UL Solutions’ capacity for conducting tests, advanced simulations and in-depth failure analysis of battery technologies.

The facility is strategically located in North Rhine-Westphalia and is the company’s first in the EU solely focused on comprehensive battery testing services. Its battery science experts conduct rigorous tests to determine cell, module and battery lifetimes, as well as evaluate safety and performance.

Specialized tests measure the ability to withstand a host of potential threats, hazards and adverse conditions, including misuse, off-gassing and thermal runaway.

The European site adds to UL Solutions’ international network of testing facilities focused on battery technologies, including in the US, China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

“Our new location in Germany provides us with access to the region’s deep engineering talent and places us close to many of our key European customers,” said Jennifer Scanlon, President and CEO of UL Solutions. “We are meeting our customers where they are, helping the automotive and power sectors safely innovate in a world increasingly reliant on battery storage.”

Source: UL Solutions