#Japan #Safety Testing #Hokuto #Chemotox #LiB Testing Center

Enhancing Safety for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Chemotox's Recent Developments

Chemotox, a company headquartered in Ota City, Tokyo, is taking significant strides in improving the safety testing services for lithium-ion batteries (LiB) by relocating its operations to the newly established Hokuto LiB Testing Center in Mukawa Town, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the safety assessment services available to its clients, with the new center officially completed on October 7, 2025.

Background of Test Service Enhancement

In recent years, incidents and fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a major societal concern. Specifically, the rise in accidents involving mobile batteries, which are composed of lithium-ion battery cells, is alarming. Reported causes of fires include overcharging, external short circuits, high temperatures, impacts, and the use of degraded cells. Such incidents can release flames exceeding 1000°C, posing risks such as spreading to nearby combustible materials and resulting in severe incidents on aircraft.

To address the growing dangers associated with mobile batteries—especially as demand for larger capacities and multi-cell configurations increases—airlines have implemented strict safety measures, banning the storage of these batteries in checked luggage as well as in overhead compartments.

In response to this backdrop, the Hokuto LiB Testing Center is augmenting its safety assessment services, enhancing equipment, and expanding evaluation parameters to swiftly meet customer needs.

Key Enhancements to Testing Services

1. New RC Room for Strengthened Safety Testing

A significant feature of the Hokuto LiB Testing Center is the newly established Reinforced Concrete (RC) room, which is designed for conducting various safety tests on lithium-ion batteries with capacities of up to 1200Wh. This facility enables safe testing of high-energy cell thermal runaway, ignition, and explosion. It is equipped to address a wider range of battery evaluation needs effectively.

2. Expansion of Safety Testing to Meet International and Domestic Standards

The center's testing services now comply with various international and domestic standards such as:

• - UN38.3
• - IEC 62133
• - JIS C8715 / JIS C8714 (for stationary and portable devices)
• - Automotive standards (e.g., ISO 12405, ISO 6469, etc.)

3. Advanced Testing Equipment

The facility is equipped with cutting-edge testing machines including:

• - Nail penetration and crush test devices (Nail penetration tests can be completed within 5 business days)
• - Overcharge and over-discharge testing equipment
• - External short circuit test devices
• - Environmental testing chambers for high and low temperatures

The center has developed a system to initiate tests rapidly based on the availability of the RC room, ensuring efficiency.

Targeted Assessment Environment

The Hokuto LiB Testing Center focuses on safety testing specifically for individual cells. The testing facility is designed to ensure safety with explosion prevention measures. Furthermore, expert technicians support safety evaluations, handling everything from test planning to report generation.

Future Developments

Chemotox aims to support technological innovation across a wide range of industries including battery manufacturing, electric mobility, and energy storage system providers. The company plans to further expand the Hokuto LiB Testing Center to enhance service delivery and meet the evolving demands of its clientele.

Facility Location

Hokuto LiB Testing Center
2966-8 Yanagisawa, Mukawa Town, Hokuto City, Yamanashi 408-0307
Tel: 0551-45-6133

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this matter, please reach out to:
Chemotox
Hokuto LiB Testing Center
仁 渡邊 (Hiroshi Watanabe), 清彦 坂本 (Kiyohiko Sakamoto)
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Tel: 0551-45-6133

Company Overview

• - Name: Chemotox Corporation
• - CEO: Hiroshi Nakayama
• - Location: 1-14-18 Kamikeidai, Ota City, Tokyo
• - Established: September 3, 1975
• - Capital: 98 million yen

Main Businesses:

• - Safety and reliability assessments for solar cells
• - Safety and reliability evaluations for lithium-ion batteries
• - Research and development of solid-state batteries
• - Testing and evaluation of power devices
• - Various property evaluations of polymer materials regarding flammability, heat resistance, and mechanical characteristics
• - Environmental analysis of hazardous chemical substances, failure analysis of printed circuit boards, and reliability testing
• - Consulting for obtaining UL certifications and other international certifications
• - Support for biodegradable testing and certification acquisition
• - Conducting overseas standard tests for railway vehicles, aircraft, construction materials, water-related products, and food contact materials, as well as standard compliance consulting
• - Support for recycling material certification acquisition
• - Interpretation and translation services

Website: Chemotox