Valmet Automotive Begins Serial Battery Production in Germany

The assembly lines are rolling in the southwestern German town of Kirchardt, as Finnish company Valmet Automotive’s factory for high voltage systems for EVs and plug-in hybrids goes operational.

The factory’s first order is a small-series run of modules, packs and battery management systems for a luxury sports-car company. But by the summer, production will commence on a large order of a German OEM. By 2024, the workforce is expected to increase from its current 60 to 150.

The facility is Valmet’s first outside of Finland. The decision to establish a location in Kirchardt was motivated by the advantages of being near to Valmet’s German customers.

“The Kirchardt factory, our first in Germany, will strengthen our position as a leading company both in the production and in the development of battery systems, said Valmet Automotive Senior Vice President of EV Systems Jyrki Nurmi in a statement.