Battery Cells & Systems Expo 2027 – Birmingham, UK

What to expect

Battery Cells & Systems Expo 2027 is the United Kingdom’s largest dedicated gathering for the battery manufacturing ecosystem. It is designed as a complete marketplace where the entire supply chain meets in one place, from material science and cell component suppliers to equipment manufacturers, integrators, recyclers and end users in automotive and energy storage. Visitors will experience a live, hands-on environment where new products are launched and demonstrated on the show floor.

The show is co-located with Vehicle Electrification Expo, The Advanced Materials Show and The Advanced Ceramics Show. This combination creates a single event that connects four related industries for two days of networking, lead generation and education. It means that while you come for battery cells and systems, you can also explore power electronics, advanced materials and ceramics that are critical to next generation batteries.

You can expect more than 300 exhibitors and over 5,000 professional attendees. The atmosphere is highly technical and business focused, with a free conference programme that is delivered across four open stages within the exhibition halls. The content is curated to a standard that would normally command a significant fee, yet it is included free for all visitors. A major highlight is the Scale-Up Accelerator Programme, which puts scale-up centre stage and creates a structured pathway from prototype to industrial impact by connecting innovators with investors, technology scouts and potential customers.

Event dates

Event Dates: 16th – 17th June 2027

Event Duration: Two days of exhibition and conference

Opening Hours: Exhibition open from 09:30 to 17:00 on Day One and from 09:30 to 16:30 on Day Two. Conference sessions run from 10:00 to 16:30 on both days.

Venue: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Edition: 2027 edition of the annual UK show

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

The event takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, the UK’s leading exhibition venue. Located in the heart of UK manufacturing, the NEC offers over 190,000 square metres of indoor exhibition space, excellent loading facilities for heavy machinery and a wide range of visitor services. The venue is fully accessible and has been hosting large scale industrial events for decades.

The National Exhibition Centre is located at North Avenue, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT, United Kingdom. The site benefits from its own railway station and direct connection to Birmingham Airport. Inside the venue, visitors will find a variety of restaurants, cafes, business lounges and meeting areas. The halls themselves feature high ceilings and robust floor loading, which is essential for showcasing battery formation equipment, coating lines, test chambers and large format battery packs. The co-located layout is designed for seamless movement, allowing you to walk freely between Battery Cells & Systems Expo and the three adjacent shows without needing separate badges.

Full event programme

The full event programme is built around the idea that every visitor should have access to world class content without cost. It includes a comprehensive exhibition, a four track conference and a series of interactive and business focused initiatives.

The exhibition itself is the core of the programme. Companies from around the world use the show to launch products and demonstrate their technology to an audience of professionals. You will find solutions for cathode and anode materials, solid-state electrolytes, separators, binders, cell hardware, battery management systems, power electronics, thermal management materials, DC contactors, emergency disconnects and recycling equipment.

Alongside the exhibition, the conference programme offers two days of interactive content. This includes themed round tables, leadership discussions, fireside chats and panel sessions. Topics are chosen to address the current challenges of scaling battery manufacturing in the UK, from securing critical minerals to improving yield and safety. The Scale-Up Accelerator is a dedicated part of the programme. It showcases the latest innovations in battery technology that are ready to take the next step toward commercialisation. Participants are vetted in advance and include inventors, researchers and startups who are matched with industry partners.

The programme also features live product demonstrations, such as ground-breaking anti-thermal propagation technology, precision recirculating chillers for laboratory and production environments, and advanced leak testing for EV battery cells and packs using helium gas techniques.

Key speakers & keynote speakers

The speaker faculty is one of the strongest elements of the show, bringing together a global list of experts from automotive OEMs, gigafactories, government funded programmes and leading research institutions.

Speakers are drawn from organisations including JLR, Innovate UK, Agratas, Volklec, BASF, UKBIC, the University of Birmingham, CIDETEC Energy Storage, Fraunhofer FFB, Hyperbat, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK. The conference is chaired by Roger Atkins, a well known figure in the battery and EV industry.

Among the notable names expected are Ruth Nic Aoidh, Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR, who provides insight into vehicle integration and requirements for next generation cells. Professor Martin Freer, CEO of The Faraday Institution, who leads the UK’s core research programme on battery degradation, modelling and solid-state technologies. Dr Valentina Gentili, Battery Innovation Programme Director at Innovate UK, who oversees significant public investment into battery innovation.

Johan Andersson, Chief Commercial Officer at Volklec, representing the new generation of UK cell manufacturers. Frédéric Aguesse from CIDETEC Energy Storage, bringing expertise in solid-state and advanced cell development. Other senior contributors include Julian Hetherington from the Advanced Propulsion Centre, Jamie North from Agratas, Dr Isobel Sheldon OBE, and technical leaders from CPI, QinetiQ, SMMT and Ricardo. Together they provide practical insight into opportunities and challenges of scaling battery manufacturing.

Conference sessions & tracks

The conference is structured into four parallel tracks, each focused on a distinct part of the value chain. This allows visitors to follow a track that matches their interests or to move between tracks.

The first track focuses on cell chemistry and materials innovation. It covers cathode and anode chemistry, lithium metal, solid-state, lithium-sulfur and sodium-ion technologies, as well as graphene, carbon nanotubes, porous silicon for next generation anodes and advanced carbons. Sessions explore how new materials can improve energy density, safety and cost efficiency.

The second track is dedicated to manufacturing and industrialisation. It looks at the journey from lab to gigafactory, including electrode mixing and coating, drying, calendaring, cell assembly, formation and aging, quality control and factory automation. This track is particularly relevant for those involved in scaling smart manufacturing and positioning a battery business for growth stage investment.

The third track covers systems integration and applications. Here the focus shifts to battery management systems, thermal interface materials, power control solutions, DC contactors and emergency disconnects, safety testing and containment. Technical deep dives explain how to ensure safety and performance in modules and packs for mobility and stationary storage.

The fourth track addresses supply chain, sustainability and circular economy. It includes discussions on critical minerals, lithium refining, the role of the Battery Innovation Programme, which is a UK Government funded programme delivered by Innovate UK and backed by substantial funding to 2030, recycling processes that can recover cathode metals with significantly lower emissions, and the development of skills for the battery workforce.

Session times & schedule

The event is designed to balance structured learning with ample time for exhibition viewing and meetings. Doors open early each day to allow visitors to settle and network before sessions begin.

The morning begins with exhibition access and welcome coffee, followed by a keynote leadership panel that sets the agenda for the day. Late morning sessions are technical in nature, with parallel presentations across the four theatres. The lunch period is extended to encourage networking and to allow time to visit the Scale-Up Accelerator showcase. Afternoon sessions include investor workshops, hands-on sessions on crafting investor pitches, and fireside chats with CTOs and founders.

The final sessions of the day are formatted as round tables and interactive discussions, which encourage audience participation. On the first day, the programme concludes with networking drinks on the show floor, providing an informal setting to continue conversations. No pre-booking is required for conference sessions, and seating is allocated on a first come first served basis.

Ticket types & registration

The organisers operate a free to attend model for industry professionals, ensuring broad access to knowledge and business opportunities.

The primary ticket is the Expo Visitor Pass. This pass is free and provides access to all four co-located exhibitions and all four conference stages over two days. The value of the conference content alone is comparable to a paid conference commanding a fee of around USD 1265 over two days, but it is included at no cost. The price in USD is USD 0.

For senior buyers, there is a VIP Buyer Programme. This is an invitation only pass for procurement leaders and OEM buyers with active projects. It includes fast track entry, access to a private VIP lounge, hosted lunch and support from the event team to arrange meetings. Approved applicants receive this pass at USD 0.

For startups and university spinouts, there is the Scale-Up Innovator Pass. This pass is granted to companies accepted into the Scale-Up Accelerator after vetting. It includes a pitch slot, space in the innovation zone and mentoring from industry partners. There is no fee for accepted innovators.

Exhibiting companies receive Exhibitor Passes as part of their exhibitor package, which includes access to the exhibitor portal, lead retrieval tools and exhibitor briefings.

Registration deadlines

Early registration is strongly recommended. By registering at least four weeks in advance, you receive regular show updates, access to the event app and the ability to pre-plan meetings with exhibitors.

Standard online registration remains open until 24 hours before the event opens. After that, visitors can still register on site at the registration desks in the NEC atrium. On site registration is free but may involve queuing.

Applications for special programmes have earlier deadlines. The VIP Buyer Programme and the Scale-Up Innovator Programme typically close around six weeks before the event to allow the organisers to vet applications and arrange meetings. Exhibitor bookings for premium stand locations usually close about three months before the show.

Exhibitor list & major companies

The exhibitor base represents the entire battery manufacturing supply chain, from research and materials to manufacturing equipment and recycling.

Major cell manufacturers and gigafactory projects include Agratas, a Tata Group battery business building facilities in the UK and India, Volklec, Ilika, Altilium and Alexander Battery Technologies which specialises in custom battery packs for robotics, medical and aerospace applications.

Materials suppliers include BASF, Tees Valley Lithium, 2D Nano which produces pristine few layer graphene and hexagonal boron nitride at commercial scale, Advanced Carbons Council, Almath which manufactures crucibles and technical ceramics, and Applied Ceramics.

Equipment and automation providers include Arbin Instruments which provides high precision test equipment for cells, modules and packs, ATEQ which is a global leader in leak and flow testing for EV battery cells, AZO for raw material handling, Anest Iwata for coating equipment and air compressors, Anton Paar for laboratory instruments, and MIXACO.

Component and system suppliers include Albright International which manufactures DC contactors and emergency disconnect systems, as well as companies focused on thermal management, power electronics and battery management systems.

Research, testing and government supported organisations include UKBIC, CPI, QinetiQ, DEKRA, The Faraday Institution, WMG and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK. Recycling specialists such as Ecobat Solutions, Recyclus Group and Altilium, whose ACT4 plant is designed to process scrap from over 150,000 EVs per year, complete the circular economy picture.

Exhibition halls & floor plan

The event occupies two large interconnected halls at the NEC. The layout is designed with clear zoning to help visitors navigate efficiently.

One hall is primarily dedicated to Battery Cells & Systems Expo. This central area hosts cell manufacturers, materials companies, manufacturing equipment and the Scale-Up Innovation Zone. It also includes the Battery Innovation Programme pavilion, where government funded projects are showcased.

The adjacent hall hosts Vehicle Electrification Expo, The Advanced Materials Show and The Advanced Ceramics Show. Here you will find solutions for vehicle integration, advanced materials and technical ceramics used in battery applications. Four open conference theatres are located within the halls, so you can step directly from exhibition stands into conference sessions.

Between the halls there are central networking lounges, investor meeting pods and catering areas. The floor plan is published online approximately two weeks before the event and can be downloaded from the official website. Stand numbers are sequential, with Founding Partners positioned on main aisles for maximum visibility.

Networking & business meetings

Networking is central to the event proposition. Over two days the show facilitates a wealth of business and networking opportunities through both digital tools and physical spaces.

The free event app allows you to search the attendee list, view exhibitor profiles and request meetings in advance. An AI powered matchmaking feature recommends relevant contacts based on your interests in areas such as cell chemistry, manufacturing or recycling.

For companies seeking investment or commercial partnerships, the Scale-Up Accelerator provides structured meetings between inventors and technology scouts, investors and potential customers. VIP buyers are matched with suppliers who meet their sourcing criteria, with meetings pre-arranged before the show.

Informal networking is encouraged through central lounges, coffee points and an evening reception on the first day, which takes place directly on the show floor.

Industry sectors & highlights

The expo serves a wide range of sectors that are united by battery technology. These include automotive and electric vehicles, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, off-highway and motorsport, energy storage for grid, commercial and residential applications, aerospace and maritime electrification, advanced materials and ceramics, manufacturing technology and recycling and circular economy.

Key highlights for the upcoming edition include a strong focus on industrialisation. Sessions will offer practical insight into scaling battery manufacturing in the UK, supported by major initiatives such as the Battery Innovation Programme, a £452 million programme running to 2030 designed to grow the UK economy by accelerating battery innovation. Another highlight is the emphasis on safety and thermal management, with new solutions for anti-thermal propagation, thermal insulation between cells and containment approaches being demonstrated.

The event also highlights skills development, with programmes such as the Birmingham Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway, the UK’s first accredited battery training programme, showing how hands-on training meets immersive learning.

Event rules & visitor information

All attendees must wear their official event badge at all times inside the exhibition halls. Badges are non-transferable and must be shown on request. The event is strictly for trade and industry professionals. No one under the age of 16 is permitted on the show floor during build-up, live days or breakdown for safety reasons.

Photography and video for personal use is permitted, but commercial filming requires prior permission from the organisers. Visitors are expected to adhere to a professional code of conduct and the organisers are committed to providing a harassment free environment for all participants.

The dress code is business attire, with safety shoes required in certain demonstration areas where heavy equipment is operating. The NEC operates a zero to landfill policy, and visitors are encouraged to use digital brochures and to return badge holders for reuse. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue.

How to get there

The NEC is one of the most accessible venues in the UK, located eight miles east of Birmingham city centre with direct motorway, rail and air connections.

If you are travelling by car, the venue has direct access from Junction 6 of the M42 motorway. From the M6, M40 and M1, you can connect via the M42. The postcode for navigation is B40 1NT. Signage for the NEC is well established on all approach roads.

If you are travelling by train, Birmingham International Railway Station is directly connected to the NEC via a covered walkway. The station is served by Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains, with direct services from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and other major cities. The walk from the station to the halls takes only a few minutes.

If you are travelling by air, Birmingham Airport is just five minutes away via a free Air-Rail Link that connects the airport terminal to Birmingham International Station and the NEC.

Public transport & parking

Public transport to the NEC is frequent and well integrated. Trains run regularly to Birmingham International from across the UK. Local buses operated by National Express West Midlands, including routes 900 and X1, connect Birmingham city centre and Coventry to the NEC and airport. National Express coaches also serve Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Station.

For those driving, the NEC has more than 16,000 parking spaces across several car parks. Parking charges apply and are typically around USD 20 to USD 22 per day for public parking when booked online in advance. Prices may vary slightly depending on the car park and booking time. Free shuttle buses operate from the more distant car parks to the exhibition halls. Electric vehicle charging points are available in selected car parks, and designated accessible parking bays are located close to hall entrances. On site staff are available to direct visitors to the correct parking area for their hall.

Accommodation areas

Birmingham offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets, and early booking is advised as hotels fill quickly during major NEC events.

The most convenient options are the NEC and Birmingham Airport hotels, which are within walking distance of the venue. These include Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Crowne Plaza NEC and Novotel Birmingham Airport. Staying here is ideal for exhibitors and for those with early morning meetings.

Birmingham city centre is another popular choice. It is only 15 minutes by train from the NEC and offers a wide choice of hotels, from budget to luxury, as well as restaurants and evening entertainment. Popular areas include Broad Street, Brindleyplace and Digbeth.

Solihull and Coventry, located to the south of the NEC, offer boutique hotels and often competitive rates with easy motorway access. Resorts World, which is adjacent to the NEC, provides an accommodation and entertainment complex with dining and leisure facilities.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition welcomed over 4,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors, cementing its position as the UK’s largest battery technology exhibition and conference.

The highlight was the launch of the Scale-Up Accelerator Programme, which brought together innovators and organisations that can help scale them. Major announcements included progress updates from Agratas on its industrialisation phase and new approaches to recycling that can produce cathode active materials with significantly lower emissions and cost.

The conference programme was praised for its quality, with investment at a level usually reserved for a paid conference. A dedicated panel examined lithium-ion battery safety, with contributions from WMG on battery material behaviour and engineering control measures. Visitors valued the ability to meet the entire manufacturing supply chain in one place and to source solutions across four co-located shows in a single visit.

Official registration & tickets

All registrations are handled through the official website. Attendance is free for industry professionals and includes access to all four co-located shows, all four conference stages and the networking app.

Official Website: https://batterysystemsexpo.com/

Registration Page: https://batterysystemsexpo.com/register-today/

Contact Details:

• Phone: +44 1273 286360
• Email: info@batterysystemsexpo.com

For exhibitor enquiries, the full exhibitor list and floor plan can be found on the official site. Online registration is recommended to avoid queues and to receive pre-show updates.