FHR Anlagenbau was awarded a major contract by Manz AG for the delivery of inline coating technology for CIGS solar module factories and aims at strategic partnership to further develop thin-film technology
Ottendorf-Okrilla, July 13, 2017 – FHR Anlagenbau GmbH has been awarded by Manz AG (Reutlingen) to deliver a number of sputtering systems for the manufacture of high-efficiency CIGS thin-film solar modules. The systems are to be delivered in 2018 and commissioned in two fully integrated factories in China. The latter are part of the major orders Manz received in January 2017 from two leading Chinese companies in the energy industry. The order volume is in the lower double-digit million range. The parties have agreed to keep the exact volume undisclosed.
At the same time FHR Anlagenbau GmbH aims at a strategic partnership focused on further developing the CIGS thin-film technology together with Manz.
Torsten Winkler, general manager of FHR, stated: “Since our founding in 1991 we have considered ourselves as pioneers in vacuum process technology for the deposition of a wide range of functional thin films. The special electrical, optical or other functional coatings are used today in many different sectors. We can contribute our core competence into the development partnership with Manz. Together we intend to further enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of thin-film solar technology in the photovoltaic market.”
About FHR Anlagenbau GmbH
FHR Anlagenbau GmbH is specialised in the development of innovative thin-film coating technologies and vacuum coating equipment and renders various services in the field of thin-film technology. The major field of business is the construction of coating plants which feature a range of vapour deposition, magnetron sputtering, CVD and ALD technologies for industrial production and research applications. These systems are used in many branches of industry, including photovoltaics, in particular for CIGS solar cells and organic PV cells, solar thermal plants, optics, electronics, sensor technology, and in the automotive sector.
The product portfolio includes modular cluster systems for stationary coating of substrates, inline systems with vertical or horizontal substrate transport for coating glass plates or tube surfaces, as well as roll-to-roll plants for coating flexible substrates such as metal strips or polymer films. FHR closely collaborates with renowned research institutions and industry partners world-wide. The company takes a leading market position, in particular in the field of roll-to-roll vacuum coating equipment. In addition to plant engineering, FHR manufactures planar and tubular sputtering targets and has a powerful service department.