Toptec and Inner have signed a strategic agreement to co-develop a high-speed, in-line 3D X-ray/CT inspection system for electric vehicle (EV) battery module assembly, targeting real-time quality control in high-volume manufacturing environments.
Announced today in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, the collaboration aims to integrate structural integrity scanning and pattern-recognition-based analysis directly into automotive battery production lines. The companies said the system is designed to address persistent quality challenges in EV battery manufacturing that can lead to warranty claims, reduced service life and safety risks.
The agreement – facilitated by Korea’s Nextwelt – will see the partners develop a specialised in-line CT scanner capable of operating at production-line speeds, bridging what they describe as a long-standing gap between laboratory-grade inspection and mass manufacturing.
Toptec will bring “future-ready machinery”
“Toptec is committed to delivering the highest tier of technical excellence to our global clients. Toptec and Inner have established a partnership that drives innovation. Through this collaboration, Toptec will deliver advanced, future-ready machinery that enhances the production quality of its battery cell and module assembly lines,” said Chung Jee-yong, chief executive of Toptec.
Toptec, a supplier of factory automation systems and battery manufacturing equipment, plans to incorporate the co-developed scanner into its end-to-end assembly solutions for customers in Korea and international markets.
Inner, which specialises in structural diagnostics using laminography and machine learning, said the partnership would help establish a new benchmark for in-line inspection.
“This partnership represents a pivotal moment for the global automotive energy sector. By integrating our analysis capability with Toptec’s world-class machinery, we are making a breakthrough step towards creating a new global industrial standard. This isn’t just a collaboration; it’s a blueprint for the future of smart manufacturing,” said Efrat Avnet Steinberg, chief executive of Inner.
The companies argue that conventional inspection systems have struggled to keep pace with modern battery production throughput, limiting their effectiveness in detecting internal defects during assembly.
“For too long, the industry has struggled with identifying internal structural problems in battery assembly because existing solutions were simply too slow to meet real-world production demands. Our engineering focus was on solving this specific bottleneck without compromise. By integrating our high-speed imaging and analysis directly into Toptec’s machinery, we are delivering the first solution that matches the pace of modern global production. We aren’t just providing a new capability – we are providing it at the exact velocity the customer requires to stay competitive,” added Hans Buurman, chief technology officer at Inner.
Nextwelt, which facilitated the agreement, highlighted the role of the partnership in supporting Inner’s international expansion.
“Nextwelt is proud to facilitate this agreement. It will serve as a cornerstone for Inner to be recognized for its technological capabilities and innovative products and to expand into the global market,” said James Lee, consultant and advisor at Inner and chief executive of Nextwelt.
The companies expect the system to be ready for commercial deployment by the end of 2026, positioning it as a step towards what they describe as “evidence-based quality” in the global EV battery supply chain.
Toptec, headquartered in Asan, South Korea and listed on the KOSDAQ (108230), supplies factory automation systems and turnkey production equipment across the battery, mobility and display sectors. Inner, based in the Netherlands, focuses on real-time, in-line 3D diagnostic technologies for battery manufacturing.
Photo: the signing ceremony at Toptec’s Asan HQ © Inner
