Mar 22 2011
The first Beneq-Glaston TFC2000™ line for manufacturing TCO coatings on glass for photovoltaics (PV) has been sold to Asia. The total order is approximately EUR 14 million, of which Glaston’s share is over EUR 4 million. The line delivery is scheduled for Q1 of 2012.
Beneq CEO, Mr Sampo Ahonen, comments: “This is a definitive demonstration of the growing need for high-quality TCO-glass and coating equipment to manufacture it. It is also good proof of the seamless cooperation between Beneq and Glaston, which with this transaction has taken a giant leap forward.”
In September 2010, Beneq and Glaston announced their strategic cooperation for solar glass coating equipment. Results of the collaboration between the companies brought about the new TFC2000™ continuous offline production concept, which enables a commercially affordable way to manufacture high-quality TCO coated glass for the solar industry. The Beneq coating system, featuring unique and proprietary nAERO® technology, is fully integrated into Glaston’s CHF Pro™ heat treatment line. The TFC2000™ combines world-leading glass and annealing technology with advanced thin film coating for rapidly growing solar applications.”
“The sale of the first TFC2000™ line in such a relatively short period of time is very encouraging and confirms that the joint Beneq-Glaston offering has been well positioned to serve the needs of the growing thin film PV industry with a solution that is unique and competitive”, Glaston CEO Mr Arto Metsänen comments.