Manz Automation Introduces its Extended Business Model

Background information on the know-how licensing and cooperation contract
- Unique alliance ensures maximum investment security for thin-film factories
- Manz Automation makes CIGS production technology an industry standard

Reutlingen. At a joint press conference today, July 27, 2010 in Schwäbisch Hall, Manz Automation AG and Würth Solar GmbH & Co. KG provided background information on their strategic alliance in the field of CIGS production technology. Manz automation AG, a world leading technology supplier in the photovoltaic and flat panel display industry has signed a “know-how licensing and cooperation contract” with Würth Solar giving Manz the exclusive right to use the CIGS production technology of Würth Solar. Manz is now the only supplier worldwide able to offer an integrated and fully productive production line for CIGS thin-film modules that can be operated economically.

The capital required for the acquisition of the licence is, according to Dieter Manz, CEO of Manz Automations AG, a one time payment of 30 million Euros that was made when the contract was signed followed by a further 20 million Euros payable before the first CIGSfab goes into operation. This will be followed by turnover based payments calculated according to megawatt sold of production capacity. The transaction will be financed by own capital reserves, external capital as well as the cash flow resulting form the extended business model.

Technology Tried and Tested: Highly Efficient and Maximum Investment Security
At the press conference Dieter Manz announced that “in future Manz Automation will be offering CIGS production lines for thin-film modules with the highest degree of efficiency currently at 12.8 percent on an aperture surface of 600 x 1.200 mm”. The company located in Reutlingen is building on the successful technology of Würth Solar, a pioneer and innovation leader in its field. Moreover, Manz is securing exclusive access to the tried and tested CIGS production technology of Würth Solar. By integrating the current production line of Würth Solar, Manz will become the only supplier to have access to a 30 MW reference factory which has been successfully operating on a 24/7 basis since 2006. In addition, Manz Automation is set to benefit from the partnership in place between Würth Solar and the “Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg” (ZSW), a scientific center for solar and hydrogen research. The alliance with Würth Solar grants Manz access to the results of research carried out by ZSW on CIGS glass modules.

“By bundling know-how in a cooperation contract unique to the world we will be able to deliver fully integrated production lines to thin-film producers. In future, these will boast the lowest costs ever in the manufacture of turnkey thin-film lines. We will also present our customers with credible technology as well as a roadmap of the costs involved. This guarantees maximum protection on investment in new thin-film factories. We will bring the CIGS technology to a breakthrough, and open up an enormous market potential”, commented Dieter Manz, CEO of Manz Automation AG.

In addition to the years of knowledge in the development and production of thin-film Würth Solar is contributing to the cooperation, Manz Automation will draw on 20 man-years of Würth’s ramp up expertise and assistance in all stages from planning to realization as well as the initial operation of production lines. The experience of the trained staff at Würth Solar will alleviate the implementation of the project considerably. The CISfab in Schwäbisch Hall will also be available in the future for the further development of production technology and the qualification of new processes and materials.

Unique Cooperation: Manz Automation Makes CIGS an Industry Standard
The management of both companies involved agree on the enormous impact of the agreement entered. “A cooperation between a world leading mechanical engineering company, a leading module manufacturer in CIGS thin-film as well as the leading research institute ZSW in Baden-Württemberg is, in this form, unique and will assist in the breakthrough of CIGS technology. We are convinced that this cooperation will enable us to tap into enormous market potential”, said Dieter Manz.

Further information on the press conference and pictures of Manz Automation can be found in the download section of our website: www.manz-automation.com/media/downloads.

Reutlingen-based Manz Automation AG (ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3) is one of the world’s leading technology providers for production systems in the photovoltaic industry, the FPD industry and for Li-ion battery production. The Manz Group's core competences are in robotics, image processing, laser technology, quality assurance, metallization, wet chemicals as well as control and drive technology. In-depth research and development activities mean that Manz Automation now ranks among the world’s technology leaders in these segments. Manz has special photovoltaic experience in the field of integrated system solutions for the manufacture of crystalline solar cells and thin-film solar modules. With regard to the latter, the company is characterized, in particular, by its unique expertise in CIGS technology. Manz is the only provider to have access to a 30 MW CIGS reference factory, run by its strategic alliance partner Würth Solar. This factory has been tried-and-trusted since 2006 with 24/7 operations, and offers the highest effectiveness recorded to date in mass production. The factory will be available in future as part of the strategic alliance with Würth for the further development of production technology and the qualification of new processes and materials. The Manz Group has sales and service branches in Germany, Taiwan, the USA, China, South Korea, India and Spain. In addition, the Manz Group has its own production facilities in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Taiwan and China.

Manz Automation AG

Axel Bartmann
Head of Corporate Communications

Steigaeckerstrasse 5
D-72768 Reutlingen
T
M +49 (0) 175 - 297 0671
F +49 (0) 7121 9000-99
E abartmann@manz-automation.com
www.manz-automation.com

This release was published on openPR.