Construction of the new assembly plant for high-voltage batteries

27.06.2024 4 Min.

BMW Group Starts Building Construction of the New Assembly Plant for High-voltage Batteries in Lower Bavaria.

+++ The first pillars are in place at the future production site in Irlbach-Strasskirchen +++ 75,000 cubic meters of humus have already been relocated to upgrade usable space in the region +++ New information container opened for visitors to the construction site +++

Irlbach-Strasskirchen. The first pillar is in place: With the installation of the first concrete support, which is around twelve meters high, the BMW Group is officially starting construction of the future production site for high-voltage batteries in Lower Bavaria. In the coming weeks, a total of around 1,000 supports will be erected on an area of 300 by 500 meters. Construction of the outbuildings will also start this summer.

Alexander Kiy, overall project manager for plant construction at the BMW Group: “By setting up the first pillar, we have reached an important milestone. The production building with its façade and roof will be closed by the end of this year. After completion of the shell, we will start installing the production systems for the high-voltage batteries in the coming year. “

The new plant in Lower Bavaria will be part of the BMW Group's global production network. To supply automotive plants with next-generation high-voltage batteries, the company is building a total of five such production sites on three continents.

Rapid construction progress with local partners

Before the supports are erected in individual foundations, the existing, relatively soft subsoil is made stable by milling a lime-cement mixture. Together with 2,500 steel trusses, the columns form the structure, followed by the façade and roof and the closing of the building.

In order to meet the tight schedule for setting up the new production site, the BMW Group is using prefabricated components. Silvia Meyer, Project Manager Construction, Facility Management and Safety for the BMW Group's new plant building: “This saves us time and allows us to erect the building faster than conventional construction, where the components are manufactured directly at the construction site. In addition, when using prefabricated parts, local water consumption is up to 65 percent lower. ”

The BMW Group is also careful to involve primarily local companies. For example, the base plate for the supports is cast with concrete delivered “just in time” from the region.

Construction of supply buildings to start in the middle of the year

Construction of the so-called “row house” — the three main supply buildings — will start in summer 2024. The energy center, service center and fire department will be built as free-standing properties south of the production building. The site's own fire department will have more than 20 full-time emergency personnel.

Humus adds value to a wide range of usable areas in the region

In April 2024, the BMW Group received official building rights to build the new assembly plant for high-voltage batteries. A basic condition for obtaining the building permit and the associated start of construction was the careful and careful removal of the fertile topsoil. 75,000 cubic meters of humus from an area of around 25 hectares have already been transported to gravel and clay pits in the districts of Straubing-Bogen, Deggendorf and Regensburg. This will create a total of 34 hectares of new recultivation areas for agricultural use in four of these pits.

In May and June, residents collected more than 5,000 tons of humus free of charge. A further 600 cubic meters of topsoil form the meadow around the newly emerging dandelion daycare center in the neighboring community of Oberschneiding. The soccer field in Strasskirchen is also part of the areas on which ground from the BMW Group property is used.

The more than 150,000 cubic meters of humus from the remaining area of the first construction phase will be temporarily stored on the site of the planned second construction phase until late summer. The BMW Group will make this humus available to farmers after the 2024 harvest. More than 50 regional companies have so far expressed their interest. The use of humus is subject to proof of meaningful further use, which is professionally documented.

New information-container opens for the first time on June 28 for all interested parties

A great deal of attention from citizens is accompanying the construction of the high-voltage battery assembly plant in Lower Bavaria. Detailed information and open, regular exchange are therefore a central, accompanying measure of the project.

On June 28 (15:00 to 18:00), the BMW Group will open the doors of the new information container on the construction site. In direct conversation with BMW Group employees, there is the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about developments on the construction site. In future, the BMW Group will invite visitors to the information container once a month, directly on the construction site.

The respective dates can be found on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroupwerkdingolfingirlbachstrasskirchen und der BMW Group Website: https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/de/irlbach-strasskirchen.html.

The BMW Group handed over the previous information-pavilion in the center of Strasskirchen to the municipality. In mid-June, employees from Bauhof Strasskirchen moved the pavilion to its new location in the garden of St. Elisabeth Kindergarten. The transformation into an art house is being commissioned by the municipality of Strasskirchen with the Lower Bavarian artist Hubert Huber.