Duracell Opened New Atlanta Innovation Center
The 83,000-square-foot facility creates a new talent pipeline for battery manufacturers near Georgia Tech.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Do you believe major corporate innovation centers provide a net benefit to your local community?
Duracell has officially opened a global research and development hub in Atlanta at Science Square Labs. The $56 million facility is expected to create 120 jobs as it anchors a broader effort to expand local battery technology innovation.
Why it matters
The investment positions the firm to tap directly into specialized engineering talent graduating from Georgia Tech and neighboring research institutions. This move highlights how proximity to academic hubs remains a key driver for corporate facility site selection.
The new site represents a $56 million investment, spanning 83,000 square feet within a larger 364,000-square-foot facility. It is projected to create 120 jobs while contributing to a broader Science Square district plan that includes 1.8 million square feet of lab and office space.
The players
Duracell
A global manufacturer of consumer batteries and power products that operates extensive supply and research networks.
Georgia Tech
A major public research university in Atlanta specializing in engineering, technology, and applied sciences.
Science Square Labs
A mixed-use life sciences and technology development district in Atlanta providing office and lab space for corporate innovators.
The details
The facility serves as the central node for the company's global battery innovation network, housing cross-functional teams of scientists and engineers. By situating operations at 101 Nerem St. NW, the firm integrates itself into a mixed-use district designed to eventually host 500 residential units and 25,000 square feet of retail, fostering a concentrated ecosystem for research activities.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: The innovation center held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Market Landscape
The development of this facility aligns with the trend of urban innovation districts built to foster corporate-academic research proximity. It follows an established pattern of industrial leaders securing specialized R&D talent by co-locating near major engineering universities.
Business operators should monitor how this district development affects local labor costs and commercial real estate demand in the corridor surrounding Georgia Tech. The shift confirms that access to academic talent pipelines remains a primary factor for high-value facility placement.
The takeaway
This expansion signals a continued corporate preference for urban innovation clusters over traditional office parks. Owners should assess whether their current locations offer similar access to academic talent or if regional site strategies require updating.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolution of hybrid office hubs in the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta.
Live Poll
Do you believe major corporate innovation centers provide a net benefit to your local community?
