The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) has completed United Nations UN 38.3 transport safety testing for its in-house 21700 cylindrical lithium-ion cells.
Passing the United Nations tests allows UKBIC to ship the cells internationally for validation, testing and customer evaluation without the exceptional arrangements that may be required for untested prototype cells.
The tests were conducted by an independent accredited laboratory and assessed whether the cells could withstand conditions encountered during transportation. They included altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration and mechanical shock.
UN 38.3 forms part of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria and applies to lithium cells and batteries offered for transport. The complete test regime also covers external short circuit, impact or crush, overcharge and forced discharge, as applicable to the cell or battery type.
United Nations certification allows for global validation, testing and evaluation
Richard LeCain, chief technology officer at UKBIC, said: “Achieving United Nations certification means our cells can be transported safely and compliantly around the world for validation, testing and customer evaluation.
“This certification reflects the quality, safety and robustness of the manufacturing processes and systems we’ve established within the facility. It also demonstrates our capability to manufacture and supply battery cells that meet internationally recognised standards, supporting innovation and accelerating the development of next-generation battery technologies.”
The cells use a high-nickel NMC 811 chemistry and are manufactured on UKBIC’s industrial scale-up line in Coventry. UKBIC uses its house cell designs to test and benchmark customers’ electrode materials and manufacturing processes. Its existing equipment can produce both 21700 cylindrical cells and 300mm by 100mm pouch cells.
UKBIC is a scale-up facility intended to help companies bridge the gap between laboratory development and commercial battery production.
It is a delivery partner for the UK government’s Battery Innovation Programme, which is funded by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by Innovate UK. The programme has £452 million allocated for 2026–30.
