On Friday, October 2, the Emitech Group officially inaugurated its center of expertise dedicated to the qualification of high-capacity batteries in Beaumont-le-Roger, in the Eure department. About 100 representatives from manufacturers, equipment suppliers, companies in the industry, institutional partners, and local governments gathered for the occasion.
Located on a former industrial brownfield site acquired in February 2024 and completely transformed, the facility represents an investment of 4 million euros. It comprises 4,000 m² of buildings on a four-hectare plot and features approximately fifteen testing facilities. Fourteen people currently work there, twelve of whom were hired as part of new job creations.
This center is now one of the Emitech Group’s key resources for supporting manufacturers in the development, validation, and market launch of their batteries and electrified systems.
Comprehensive expertise, from preparation to analysis
The facilities enable testing for cycling, compression, drop, immersion, spray, and thermal runaway. They also include an evaluation area and a room dedicated to test control.
“We receive the batteries, prepare them, install the testing equipment, test them, and then analyze them to gain a precise understanding of their behavior,” explains Sébastien Potteau, Director of Operations for the Emitech Group.
This ability to provide support before, during, and after testing is one of the site’s unique features. Beyond conducting the tests, the teams assist manufacturers in analyzing the results and understanding the observed phenomena.
Anticipating New European Requirements
The inauguration also provided an opportunity to discuss regulatory developments related to batteries. Alexandra Mulot and Mimoun Benabdelkader of the Emitech Group presented the practical implications of European Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 for manufacturers and integrators.
Battery categorization, identification of applicable requirements, provision of technical evidence, preparation of the compliance dossier, EU declaration, and CE marking: their presentation underscored that placing a product on the market relies on more than just testing. Compliance must be integrated from the product design stage and anticipate upcoming regulatory deadlines, particularly regarding carbon footprint, traceability, digital passports, and recycled content.
By bringing together testing facilities, expert knowledge, and regulatory support under one roof, the Emitech Group aims to help its clients ensure a smooth path through the entire qualification and market launch process.
Addressing the Acceleration of Development Cycles
Against the backdrop of rapid transformation in the automotive industry, the availability of testing facilities has become a major challenge. Shorter development cycles are forcing automakers and suppliers to qualify their technologies within ever-tighter deadlines.
“Our challenge is not just knowing how to conduct a test, but being able to conduct it exactly when the customer needs it,” emphasizes Stephan Lassausse, CEO of the Emitech Group.
Designed primarily to meet the needs associated with the electrification of mobility, the center will gradually be able to accommodate other large or highly electrified equipment in the aerospace, defense, and rail sectors, as well as propulsion systems and heavy equipment.
Given its growth potential and the planned installation of new testing facilities, the site could eventually employ around 50 people.
An inauguration bringing together industry stakeholders and local representatives
The event provided an opportunity to put the industry’s economic, regulatory, and technological challenges into perspective. Highlights included a presentation by Christophe Aufrère, CEO of the Automotive Platform (PFA), as well as remarks by Jean-Christophe Pin, Director of After-Sales Engineering at Forsee Power, a partner of the Emitech Group.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Philippe Fournier-Montgieux, subprefect of Bernay; Mr. Jean-Pierre Le Roux, mayor of Beaumont-le-Roger; and several members of the city council. It concluded with guided tours that allowed participants to explore the center’s facilities and various testing capabilities.
