Ioncor, the battery business spun off from Valmet Automotive in 2024 and now majority state-owned, is consolidating its German operations by relocating its battery testing activities to Kirchardt. The company has sold its existing test centre in Bad Friedrichshall to Electric Sphere, a newly founded independent spin-off specialising in battery testing.
Ioncor said it plans to complete the relocation within six months, bringing engineering, testing, and production together at its Kirchardt facility near Heilbronn. “This move creates a strong foundation for the future through a site that advances our strategy for heavy-duty OEM batteries and aligns our capacity with market needs,” said Ioncor CEO Roberts Abele. “It’s also a solution that serves both IONCOR and Electric Sphere, fostering innovation and cooperation toward sustainable mobility.”
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The restructuring will see Ioncor operate a single German site, in addition to its two Finnish locations in Salo and Uusikaupunki. As part of the consolidation, some testing assets from the Bad Friedrichshall site have been sold to Electric Sphere, while staff will either transfer to the new company or relocate to Kirchardt. The new Kirchardt test centre will focus on Ioncor’s proprietary battery systems for buses, trucks, and off-highway vehicles, while continuing to use external testing services, including those of Electric Sphere.
Electric Sphere, founded in July 2025 as a subsidiary of Sommer Holding GmbH, officially acquired the Bad Friedrichshall facility on 1 November. “As a new company building on IONCOR’s proven expertise in battery testing and engineering, Electric Sphere combines experience with entrepreneurial agility,” said Stefan Sommer, Managing Director of Electric Sphere. “This step gives us the independence to grow while maintaining cooperation with IONCOR to drive innovation and meet the rapidly evolving needs of the battery industry.” The new company plans to expand its focus on battery safety testing in addition to existing functional and service life tests.
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The consolidation comes amid wider changes at Ioncor, which has recently undergone partial nationalisation. The Finnish government, citing strategic importance in the battery value chain and national security concerns due to Finland’s long border with Russia, has increased state ownership in both Ioncor and Valmet Automotive. The Finnish Minerals Group will hold a 70% stake in Ioncor, with the remainder owned by Varma (16%) and Pontos (14%). The state has also committed around €20 million in new investment.
Ioncor was created when Valmet Automotive reorganised its business in 2024, separating its contract manufacturing, battery systems, and roof and kinematic systems divisions. The latest move strengthens Ioncor’s integration into Finland’s national battery strategy, positioning it as a key player in battery system development and production across Europe.