Corporate | 15 October 2009 09:57
Roth & Rau AG / Miscellaneous
15.10.2009
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- Roth & Rau opens subsidiary and technology centre in Switzerland
- Research line for development of the next but one generation of solar
cells installed
Hohenstein-Ernstthal/Neuchâtel, 15 October 2009 - Under a cooperation
agreement signed with the Swiss Institute for Microtechnology (EPFL/IMT) in
May 2008, Roth & Rau Switzerland AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Roth &
Rau AG, has installed the first research line on the premises of the
EPFL/IMT in Neuchâtel, set up a competent research team of scientists and
engineers and thus laid the foundation for the future success of the
three-year development project. The facility serves to develop equipment,
technologies and processes for the production of highly efficient
crystalline silicon solar cells based on hetero-junction technology.
On the occasion of today's official inauguration of Roth & Rau Switzerland
AG and the technology centre at the IMT, CEO Dr. Dietmar Roth reports on
the progress of the project: 'We are doing intensive research at Neuchâtel
into the next but one generation of solar cells, which will achieve
efficiency ratios of 20 percent and more. We have already obtained the
first promising results and are confident that the new manufacturing
technologies including the required plant technology and processes will be
ready for mass production in 2011.'
To this day, the hetero-junction technology has been used on an industrial
scale only by a single company. Hetero-junction cells are based on a
relatively simple low-temperature manufacturing concept; they are
characterised by an excellent passivation, which leads to very high
efficiencies and excellent temperature behaviour. This way, Roth & Rau is
optimally prepared to benefit from the necessary replacement and expansion
investments of its existing customers, who are forced to invest in the next
technology generation due to growing cost pressure in the market. 'We aim
to consolidate our technology leadership with innovative products and hence
to grow our company in the long term. Comprehensive investments in research
and development like here in Neuchâtel are the basis for this growth,' says
Dr. Bernd Rau, Managing Director of Roth & Rau Switzerland AG and Group R&D
Officer.
About EPFL/IMT:
The Institute of Microtechnology of Neuchâtel is well-known for its work in
the field of thin film silicon solar cells as well as crystalline silicon
solar cells. It has triggered the creation of several companies and
performed successfully technology transfers with solar cell manufacturers
and with a leading supplier of production equipment for thin film silicon
solar cell production.
About Roth & Rau AG:
Roth & Rau AG based in Hohenstein-Ernstthal (ISIN DE000A0JCZ51) is one of
the world's leading suppliers of technologies and production equipment for
the photovoltaics industry. Roth & Rau's photovoltaic division (PV) focuses
on providing antireflective coating facilities as well as fully automated
manufacturing lines (turnkey production lines) for the production of
crystalline silicon solar cells. Another focus is on the production of
coating facilities and turnkey production lines for the production of thin
film solar modules. The plasma and ion beam technology division (PIB)
produces plasma sources and ion beam sources as well as process systems for
plasma and ion beam enhanced thin film and surface processing methods.
Customers served by this division include, in particular, companies in the
semiconductor industry, R&D departments in various industries including
photovoltaics as well as research institutes and universities. The third
division, 'Other activities', comprises maintenance and service, software
products as well as other products and services. Roth & Rau AG posted EBIT
of EUR 28.5 million and sales of EUR 272.1 million pursuant to IFRS for the
2008 financial year and employed 606 people as of 31 December 2008. In the
first half of 2009, the Group generated earnings before interest and taxes
of EUR 12.0 million on sales of EUR 117.0 million. The headcount increased
to 729 as at 30 June 2009.
Contact:
Roth & Rau AG
Dr. Silvia Roth
Tel.: +49 (0) 3723/6685-333
E-Mail: investor@roth-rau.de
Haubrok Investor Relations GmbH
Simone Gorny
Tel.: +49 (0) 211/30126-130
E-Mail: s.gorny@haubrok.de
15.10.2009 financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Company: Roth & Rau AG
An der Baumschule 6-8
09337 Hohenstein-Ernstthal
Deutschland
Phone: 03723 6685-0
Fax: 03723 6685-100
E-mail: info@roth-rau.de
Internet: www.roth-rau.de
ISIN: DE000A0JCZ51
WKN: A0JCZ5
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, München, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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