centrotherm photovoltaics expands thin-film activities
Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) -
- Construction of a Research & Development Centre in Blaubeuren - Thin-film expert Dr. Immo Kötschau now with centrotherm
ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
companies
31 January 2008 - centrotherm photovoltaics AG is expanding its activities in the area of thin-film technologies: the TecDax-listed company is constructing a Research & Development Centre in Blaubeuren, which is due for completion as early as the second quarter of this year. It will include a thin-film laboratory with modern analysis machines and pilot fabrication for so-called CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) lines. CIGS is currently the most efficient form of thin-film technology, achieving a rate of 19.9 percent in research settings. The new Research & Development Centre is also set to feature an application laboratory, which can be used for testing by customers and staff. The centre will employ approximately 20 members of staff.
The expanded activities in the areas of research and development and thin-film technology are in line with the stated objectives of centrotherm photovoltaics. At the time of its IPO in October 2007, the company announced that the issue proceeds would be invested in these two areas. "Our objective is to enhance our technological expertise and further increase the efficiency of our production lines," says Robert Hartung, CEO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "We are aiming for a guaranteed rate of 10 percent in the production process." The Blaubeuren-based company is the world´s only provider of turnkey lines with CIGS technology.
As part of its expansion of thin-film activities, centrotherm photovoltaics has succeeded in recruiting another expert in the field. Dr. Immo Kötschau (38) joined the company starting 01 January 2008, as Director of Research and Development in the thin-film segment. He will head the new Research Centre. Before coming to centrotherm, Canadian-born Kötschau worked in thin-film process development at the Hahn-Meitner Institute (HMI) in Berlin. Like the Institut für Physikalische Elektronik (IPE) in Stuttgart, where Mr. Kötschau earned his doctorate in 2002, the HMI ranks among the top research institutions in the area of thin-film technologies.
About centrotherm photovoltaics AG centrotherm photovoltaics AG is a leading international provider of technology and services for the production of solar cells and solar silicon. The broad range of products ranges from key equipment and turnkey production lines through to complete solar factories. Business operations currently focus on the growth market of Asia. The international customer base includes well-known companies from the solar sector. The company, which is based in Blaubeuren near Ulm, currently has more than 230 employees.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Company contact:
Saskia Schultz-Ebert
Senior Manager Investor Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8890
E-mail: saskia.schultz-ebert@centrotherm.de
Press contact:
Grit Pauli
HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH
Tel: +49 40 3690 50-31
E-mail: g.pauli@hoschke.de
Branche: Energy
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard