Merit, the UK’s leading industrialised construction and digital manufacturing specialist, has successfully completed the new clean and dry zone (CDZ) at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), Coventry. This significant project, encompassing an additional 800m², reinforces UKBIC's position as a leader in the UK's transition towards electrification and sustainable battery technology.
Merit is a leading specialist in the manufactured delivery of high-quality, technically complex facilities for the battery tech, healthcare, life sciences and education sectors.
The expansion project was initially announced in July 2024, with Merit appointed to design and deliver this pioneering facility. Capable of maintaining the precise climate-controlled conditions needed in the production of high-quality, reliable cells, the 800m2 CDZ consists of five independent production rooms.
The project was completed in a remarkable 10-month period and extends the scope of the clean and dry room project that Merit delivered for UKBIC in 2020.
The design of the new extension strategically leveraged the existing infrastructure of UKBIC, particularly the surplus capacity of the dehumidification system implemented during the initial phase. This strategic reuse of resources not only enhanced project efficiency but also reduced the programme timeline.
Tony Wells, CEO at Merit, said: “We take great pride in our continued partnership with UKBIC and the successful completion of this project further solidifies our capabilities. By optimising existing systems, we have delivered this extension in a notably shorter timeframe and at a reduced cost, aligning seamlessly with UKBIC’s objectives for innovation.”
Richard LeCain, UKBIC’s Chief Technology Officer, said: "We're delighted to unveil our clean and dry zone, tailored to meet the fast-evolving demands of the battery industry.
“These climate-controlled spaces are designed with flexibility for different customers in mind and offer the perfect environment for specialised testing, manufacturing, and R&D, enabling customers to increase their technology readiness levels without large outlay in capex and opex.
“The CDZ enable organisations to push the boundaries of innovation and efficiency in battery technology, supporting one of UKBIC's core missions.”
Successfully building on its client relationship, this is the second project that Merit has delivered working closely with UKBIC. In September 2019, Merit was appointed to deliver UKBIC’s clean and dry room package, critical for the development of new battery technologies. The clean and dry rooms delivered required the highest quality environment for effective manufacturing processes.
Merit’s appointment was influenced by its competitive cost breakdown, high-quality solution and the significant design innovations introduced to ensure UKBIC’s technical functionality was maintained within budget. The use of Merit’s PAir™ fully welded dry air ductwork system played a crucial role in the project’s success, which ensured the swift delivery of ISO 6 specified dry rooms, achieving -73°C dew point supply and -57°C dew point return in rooms exceeding 330m².
A trusted expert in its field, Merit is currently delivering an array of notable projects including Berwick’s new community Hospital, York Hospital’s new Hybrid Theatre and MRI Facility and Bedford Hospital’s new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit.
