The FPL offers organisations a cost-effective and agile way to develop their products at the UK’s national battery manufacturing development facility in Coventry to support UK industry with rapid process development, feasibility trials, and early‑stage manufacturing.

The line enhances the centre’s ability to help organisations move from laboratory concepts to proven, industrially scalable products. Designed with maximum adaptability, it enables users to trial and scale a wider range of chemistries, formats and processes.

Speaking at the opening, Minister McDonald, said: "The new Flexible Pilot Line shows how government investment through our Industrial Strategy is helping UK innovators bring advanced battery technologies to market faster. By providing access to worldclass equipment at lower cost and risk, UKBIC is supporting high potential firms and strengthening the UK’s position in this vital industry."

Sean Gilgunn, UKBIC’s Managing Director, added: “The FPL further strengthens our offering to industry, giving start-ups and SMEs a great opportunity to bring their innovative chemistries and materials to us to prove at scale before moving onto our ISL for full commercialisation. It’s really the missing piece in the jigsaw of the UK’s battery ecosystem which can now go from laboratory testing all the way to gigafactories.”

Valentina Gentili, Director of the Battery Innovation Programme, commented: “The new line embodies the Battery Innovation Programme’s mission to accelerate battery innovation. By offering open access pilot scale manufacturing in a highly configurable environment, we’re enabling UK businesses to test their innovations, refine their technologies and make informed decisions before scaling up. It’s a resource designed to reduce risk, encourage collaboration and accelerate the journey to market.”

The FPL is the latest addition to UKBIC’s suite of battery manufacturing capabilities, which include the Battery Development Laboratory, which offers cell characterisation ability, the Cell Cycling facility, the Clean and Dry Zone and our established large-scale Industrial Scale up line, all of which can be used by companies to run their own projects within UKBIC.

To find out more about FPL, go to https://www.ukbic.co.uk/flexible-pilot-line

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Notes to editors

To arrange an interview or to request photography please email richard.robinson@ukbic.co.uk or phone +44 (0) 7503 628892

About UKBIC

UKBIC is the UK’s national manufacturing development facility, providing scale-up, laboratory expertise, and module and pack assembly, and helping develop skills to support the sector.

By bridging the gap between research and high-volume manufacturing, UKBIC plays a critical role in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero and strengthening its position in the global battery supply chain.

UKBIC provides state-of-the-art equipment, technical expertise, and training to help manufacturers and researchers validate processes, optimise performance, and reduce risk before committing to large-scale investment.

The facility offers both pilot and industrial-scale lines, enabling customers to trial new materials and processes under real-world conditions.

UKBIC also supplies its own benchmark products for component testing and delivers specialist training to develop the skills required for a battery-powered future.

UKBIC is uniquely positioned to tackle complex manufacturing challenges. With expertise in processing diverse materials and products, and access to a broad range of advanced technologies, its engineers bring a comprehensive understanding of issues that span the entire battery value chain.

UKBIC is part of The Battery Innovation Programme, a flagship of the UK Industrial Strategy, funded by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by Innovate UK.

About the Battery Innovation Programme

The Battery Innovation Programme, funded by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by Innovate UK, is a £452 million programme running from 2026 to 2030. It is designed to grow the UK economy by accelerating battery innovation and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness across automotive, aerospace, off-highway, storage and maritime.