Heraeus and BELECTRIC OPV Deepen Collaboration for Next-generation Organic Photovoltaics

    NUREMBERG, GERMANY, June 02, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The ability to produce organic photovoltaic (OPV) products in various shapes and colours has been illustrated by #BELECTRIC OPV at the German Pavilion at the International EXPO in Milan, Italy. The large OPV surfaces are integrated into tree-like structures creating a big canopy over the pavilion. The effect is an attractive, futuristic architecture that generates electricity. This way OPV can energize almost any surface.

Heraeus, a partner of BELECTRIC OPV in development of organic photovoltaics, plays a key role in BELECTRIC's innovative technology through the supply of vital components. Clevios conductive polymer materials based on PEDOT:PSS provide the hole-transport layer, and low temperature SOL silver pastes serve as the electrode in the devices. Both materials are processed by roll-to-roll coating and printing so providing high throughput at low cost. The mutually beneficial cooperation between BELECTRIC OPV and Heraeus on new materials and processes to improve the viability of OPV even further demonstrates the positive impact along the supply chain. Using state-of-the-art materials in combination with innovative wet-coating based manufacturing processes, BELECTRIC OPV is able to supply the market with customized, aesthetically pleasing OPV solutions.

Heraeus, a leading supplier of metallization pastes used in crystalline silicon PV solar cells, is expanding its product range to include next generation PV technologies with low temperature silver pastes along with OPV grades of Clevios PEDOT based conductive polymers. Clevios is already extensively used in antistatic, touch sensor and emerging OLED applications. Heraeus has ton-scale production capacity for these materials.

"Open innovation approaches, like the joint-development effort together with Heraeus for example, is part of our R&D strategy", reveals Andreas Distler (Head of R&D, BELECTRIC OPV). "In order to bring OPV technology to its best, it is important that a holistic development approach is applied throughout the whole device architecture and the manufacturing process." This also adds to the great potential for scalability of printed OPV manufacturing. Armin Sautter, (Manager at Heraeus New Businesses) stated: "Heraeus has over 45 years' experience in the development thick film metallization pastes and conductive polymers. Partnerships with new technology leaders, such as BELECTRIC, who provide unlimited shapes, colours and even flexibility, is an entirely new dimension for PV technology. BELECTRIC OPV's vision for photovoltaics is consistent with ours - using technology and innovation to achieve sustainable green energy."

About Heraeus: Heraeus, the technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a leading international family-owned company formed in 1851. We create high-value solutions for our customers, strengthening their competitiveness for the long term. Our activities focus on a number of markets: chemical and metals, energy and the environment, communications and electronics, health, mobility, and industrial applications. In fiscal year 2013, Heraeus achieved product revenue of EUR3.6 billion and precious metals trading revenue of EUR13.5 billion. With some 12,500 employees in over 110 subsidiaries worldwide, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets.

About the German Pavilion Participants: The Organic Photovoltaic Technology Consortium (ARGE OPV) is the partner network for the development and installation of the organic photovoltaic technology in the German pavilion. The ARGE OPV is made up of the companies BELECTRIC OPV, Carl Stahl GmbH, Hager SE, U.I. Lapp GmbH, Merck KGaA and Schmidhuber. The project is being supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The design, planning and realization of the German Pavilion have been taken on by the German Pavilion Expo 2015 Milan Consortium (ARGE), made up of Schmidhuber, Milla & Partner and Nussli Deutschland.

About BELECTRIC OPV: BELECTRIC OPV GmbH, with offices in Nuremberg and Kitzingen, is the market leader in the area of organic photovoltaics. BELECTRIC OPV produces bespoke organic solar cells and systems, tailored to customers' specific requirements. Furthermore, BELECTRIC OPV is active in the area of research and development, in order to continuously provide their customers with creative and innovative solutions. Additionally, BELECTRIC OPV employs a unique manufacturing process, based on a combination of printing, lamination and laser structuring processes. These give a distinct advantage due to their high scalability and, moreover, allow the implementation of custom designs. BELECTRIC OPV supports its customers with the integration of OPV in existing as well as new products and delivers the accompanying system solutions. BELECTRIC OPV currently has two product lines: SOLARTE for architects and designers and POWER PLASTIC for large scale industrial applications. Products from BELECTRIC OPV stand for innovation, quality, and design.

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