Global reach in series production

Electromobility is continuing to grow at pace around the globe, a trend being driven in particular by the three big markets: China, the United States, and Germany. As an established supplier of e‑mobility components, ElringKlinger operates within a global arena shaped by fast-paced innovation, international competition, and complex supply chains. In order to meet the diverse requirements of its international client base, the Group relies on a high degree of vertical integration – i.e., close links between development, production, and market requirements – as far as forward-looking technologies are concerned. This integrated system enables the ElringKlinger Group to manufacture technological innovations like its cell contacting systems reliably and on an industrial scale worldwide.

R&D driving advances in technology

Strength in innovation has always been a hallmark of the Group. ElringKlinger began exploring alternative drive concepts more than 20 years ago and has been producing innovative battery cell contacting systems at an industrial scale since 2012.

As a key component of the battery, ElringKlinger’s state-of-the-art cell contacting systems are now paving the way for the development of powerful electric drives at the cutting edge of technology. The company’s approach is a specialized one that tailors its products precisely to individual customer requirements, from standard applications to high-performance automotive solutions. The Group’s continuous improvement in battery technology is underpinned by the core skills in metalworking and plastics processing that it has built up over many years as well as by its development expertise in electrical and thermal design and configuration. All research, development, manufacturing, and testing is conducted in-house and is coordinated in such a way that know-how can be shared efficiently and innovations brought to series production sooner.

Developed for a range of diameters

To achieve higher peak power levels and extended ranges, the automotive industry is seeing a trend toward the use of 46‑mm round cells in electric powertrains. ElringKlinger has devised a cell contacting system for battery round cells with different diameters that is tailored to the specific requirements – and has brought it to series manufacture. This cell contacting system integrates individual battery cells into a unified electrical module, manages the flow of current between them, and supports the functions of voltage and temperature sensing systems. To maximize operational safety, ElringKlinger has incorporated an additional, specially engineered safety element into its cell contacting systems. Acting as an electrical separator inside the cell connector, this safety feature ensures that no large currents flow between individual cells if one cell fails, thus preventing thermal propagation processes in the battery.

Research focused on faster charging and consistent performance

In order to increase efficiency in electromobility even further, ElringKlinger is conducting research in other relevant areas of battery technology – such as immersion cooling – and is developing corresponding products through to readiness for series production. Immersion-cooled battery modules are mainly to be found in powerful electric vehicles, where they enable a high level of safety and reliability, maximum output during operation, and improved thermal management compared to conventional cooling strategies. Immersion cooling and the cell contacting system aligned with it are unlocking additional benefits such as faster charging and thus a consistently high degree of performance capacity.

From Neuffen to series production on the global stage

With a focus on customer-oriented manufacture in the main regions of key importance to the automotive industry, cell contacting systems are mass-produced on highly automated production systems built to the very latest industrial standards. The series manufacture of cell contacting systems on fully automated production lines at the Neuffen Battery Center of Excellence is serving as a benchmark in terms of the technology being used. Thus, ElringKlinger is ensuring that cell contacting systems meet the same quality requirements and process standards, no matter which site produces them. A prime example is the high-volume series production order for BMW’s “Neue Klasse”, which entered European production in Neuffen in 2025 ahead of the ramp-up for Asian markets. The manufacture of a cell contacting system for an immersion-cooled module to be fitted inside a high-performance vehicle will also be getting under way soon.

China enters series production

ElringKlinger is systematically expanding its manufacturing and development structures in China in order to meet the rapidly growing demand for battery technologies in Asia. The highly industrialized processes needed for on-site manufacture are gradually being established to enable reliable handling of large-scale orders for the Chinese e‑mobility market in the future. The rollout of cell contacting systems in Asia, from series production to delivery, is expected to start in summer 2026. By mirroring the production systems in Neuffen, cell contacting systems in China can be manufactured with the same technological depth, precision, and quality, while also being located close to where customers develop and produce their vehicles. This brings some crucial benefits, including shorter delivery routes, faster response times, and much more straightforward logistics – all vital factors in a volatile environment where battery platforms, voltage levels, and regulatory requirements vary from region to region.

Expanding the Battery Hub Americas

In the United States, meanwhile, ElringKlinger is stepping up its activities at its recently established Battery Hub Americas in Easley, South Carolina. The new site forms the centerpiece of the company’s battery activities within the North American market as well as laying the foundations for local value creation. The production facility in Easley is currently responsible for manufacturing cell contacting systems for a first major customer and will in the future be supplemented with product solutions for lightweighting, a key technology in the automotive industry. By taking this step, the Group is reinforcing its “local for local” approach in order to be close to its customers and tap into North America’s market potential. Located between Atlanta and Charlotte, the site is perfectly placed to access the US automotive industry. ElringKlinger is also benefiting from its close proximity to some high-profile technical universities, such as Clemson University, which will provide a pool of highly skilled and qualified talent.

From Dettingen out into the world

Development creates innovation, production creates efficiency, and market presence creates closeness to customers. These key pillars underpin ElringKlinger’s sustainable value creation within its international environment. With production and development sites across multiple continents, the Group is in a position to serve customers worldwide, ranging from European automotive corporations to US commercial-vehicle manufacturers and Asian firms developing new mobility solutions. Thanks to its international network, ElringKlinger can scale solutions globally, not just locally, while consistently addressing its customers’ specific requirements – thus turning innovation "made in Dettingen” into a series product available worldwide.