UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, has announced the grand opening of its state-of-the-art Europe Advanced Battery Testing Laboratory in Aachen, Germany. This significant expansion of the company’s battery technology testing capabilities and European presence will cater to the burgeoning demand for reliable testing of batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems. UL Solutions transforms safety, security, and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers across more than 110 countries, delivering comprehensive testing, inspection, and certification services.
Purpose-Built Facility to Meet Growing Demand
The Aachen facility was meticulously designed and built from the ground up to support the research and development phases of battery manufacturing for both EV and industrial applications. It will offer comprehensive evaluations of finished battery products to ensure they meet stringent safety and performance requirements, thereby facilitating original equipment manufacturers’ access to global markets.
Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions, emphasized the strategic importance of the new location: “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. We are meeting our customers where they are, helping the automotive and power sectors safely innovate in a world increasingly reliant on battery storage.”
Enhanced Testing Capabilities, Including Battery Lifespan Estimation
This advanced laboratory replaces a smaller leased facility acquired as part of UL Solutions’ 2024 acquisition of BatterieIngenieure, a battery testing and simulation company. The acquisition significantly boosted UL Solutions’ capacity for conducting tests, advanced simulations, and in-depth failure analysis of battery technologies. A key strength of the new Aachen facility is its ability to estimate battery lifespans, a critical factor for both manufacturers in their development processes and consumers in their purchasing decisions.
Strategic Timing Amidst Global Electrification Surge
The launch of the Aachen laboratory comes at a pivotal moment in the global energy transition and the rapid electrification of transportation. The International Energy Agency has highlighted the strong growth of the EV market, which is driving a significant surge in battery demand, increasing by 35% in 2023 and projected to grow tenfold. The power sector is also witnessing rapid expansion in battery storage deployments, with a remarkable rise of over 130% in 2023.
First EU Facility Dedicated to Comprehensive Battery Testing
Strategically located in North Rhine-Westphalia, this facility marks UL Solutions’ first in the European Union solely focused on providing comprehensive battery testing services. It houses a dedicated team of battery science experts who will conduct rigorous testing to determine the lifespan of cells, modules, and entire batteries, as well as thoroughly evaluate their safety and overall performance.
Rigorous Testing for Safety and Performance Standards
The Aachen laboratory is equipped to conduct specialized tests that meticulously measure a battery’s ability to withstand a wide array of potential threats, hazards, and adverse conditions. These include misuse scenarios, off-gassing, and critically, thermal runaway – a dangerous chemical reaction that can lead to rapid increases in temperature and pressure, potentially causing fires and explosions. These rigorous tests are crucial in demonstrating that customers’ innovative technologies meet the stringent safety and performance standards established by UL Standards & Engagement, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the United Nations, and other globally recognized organizations.
Expanding UL Solutions’ Global Battery Testing Network
The Europe Advanced Battery Laboratory in Aachen further strengthens UL Solutions’ extensive global network of testing facilities dedicated to battery technologies. These facilities include:
- North America Advanced Battery Laboratory, Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Advanced Battery Testing Laboratory in Northbrook, Illinois
- EV Charging Test Laboratories in Fremont, California; Northbrook, Illinois, and Frankfurt, Germany
- UL Solutions E-Mobility and Energy Laboratory in Changzhou, China
- Advanced Battery Testing and Engineering Laboratory in Pyeongtaek, South Korea
- CHAdeMO EV–Quick Charger Matching Center in Ise, Mie, Japan
- EV and Micromobility Laboratory in Luzhu, Taiwan
