Oerlikon Solar Invests in Singapore to Build up Asia Business

The solar industry has developed into one of the fastest-growing markets globally. As a provider of thin-film silicon solar solutions with ambitious plans, Oerlikon Solar plays a leading role and is a driving force within this market. Oerlikon Solar’s sales have exceeded this year’s planning and are expected to rise to more than CHF 700 million in 2008, with growth rates exceeding 50 percent over the next several years.

Thin-film silicon belongs to the next generation of solar energy solutions and has significant cost benefits compared to conventional crystalline processes. “We are at the very beginning of a revolution in the energy market, similar to the dawn of the new age experienced about 30 years ago in the semiconductor industry with the adoption of the integrated circuit,” said Oerlikon Solar CEO Jeannine Sargent.

According to market forecasts, Asia will grow to become one of the leading areas in the world for solar panel production. Based on recent announcements, the Asian capacity for solar panels produced will grow to more then 4 GWp (gigawatt peak) by 2010, which is more than double that of the US and Europe. With the recent announcements by CMC Magnetics and Auria Solar, Oerlikon Solar already has two important customers in key Asian markets. “To meet end-market solar demands in this growing region, it is essential that we are close to our customers with dedicated local resources, including development and production capabilities,” Sargent said. “After an in-depth analysis, we have decided on Singapore as our second facility in addition to our headquarters in Trübbach.” The decision criteria included access to a skilled workforce and scientists, a business-friendly infrastructure including intellectual property protection, and the government’s commitment to build a national solar energy industry.

"Oerlikon's decision in choosing Singapore to site its Asia manufacturing and R&D hub clearly demonstrates our rapid progress in developing the solar industry. This project is a significant boost to this growing sector, and shows how our existing strengths in manufacturing, particularly in precision engineering, have evolved to support exciting new areas," said Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director of Singapore Economic Development Board.

Added Sargent: “Our Singapore operation will leverage an Asian-based supply chain and strategic outsourcing partnerships to enable cost and delivery advantages for our customers.”

Joint development programs will include process optimization and yield improvement for new solar solutions, and will be aligned with on-site customer training in realistic industrial conditions.

“The decision to set up in Singapore positions Oerlikon Solar to achieve its growth goals over the next few years and to offer our customers outstanding service and support,” Sargent said.

“Because of the enormous demand for our machines, it is of key importance to build up the necessary capacities to further strengthen our market-leading position,” said Dr. Krüger, CEO of the Oerlikon Group. “With this new location and the expansion of our production site in Trübbach, we will be able to quadruple our last year’s production capability by 2009.”

Since the beginning of this year, Oerlikon Solar operates as a separate segment of the Oerlikon Group. This enables Oerlikon Solar to fully focus on its activities and opens opportunities for a quick expansion of the solar business also in light of the favourable conditions on the capital markets for solar companies.