DGAP-News: Manz AG

Manz AG: Groundbreaking for CIGS Production Line in China

- Groundbreaking for CIGSfab in Chongqing took place

- Completion of major projects in CIGS thin film solar segment within planned timeline

Reutlingen, January 4, 2018 - Manz AG, a worldwide high-tech equipment manufacturer with an extensive technology portfolio, announces that ground has been broken on schedule for the CIGS turnkey line (CIGSfab) for serial production of CIGS thin film solar modules in China. Also the project for the CIGS research line (CIGSlab) is proceeding on schedule.

Eckhard Hörner-Marass, Management Board Chairman of Manz AG, remarks: "A good report for the start of the year: we are right on track with our preliminary work in our solar project and are within the scheduled timeline."

On about 58,000 m² in Chongqing City, a Chinese metropolis of 32 million residents, the 306 MW CIGSfab will be the largest production plant for CIGS thin-film solar modules in the country. The new construction is scheduled for completion end of third quarter 2018; production will begin mid of 2019. In the future, about 450 employees will work at the location in Chongqing City. The new construction of the 44 MW CIGSlab research line will be built on about 16,000 m² in Peking and is also scheduled for completion end of third quarter 2018. The CIGSlab will commence operation beginning of the second quarter 2019. Together with the existing innovation line for CIGS thin film solar modules in Schwäbisch Hall, the CIGSlab will further accelerate the research process with about 170 employees. The goal is to leverage the potential of the CIGS technology for further increases in efficiency and reduction of manufacturing costs.

Company Profile:

Manz AG - passion for efficiency

As one of the world's leading high-tech equipment manufacturers, Manz AG, based in Reutlingen, Germany, is a pioneer for innovative products in fast-growing markets. Founded in 1987, the company has expertise in five technology sectors: automation, laser processing, metrology as well as wet chemical and roll-to-roll processing. These technologies are deployed and continuously developed by Manz in the three strategic business segments of "Electronics", "Solar" and "Energy Storage".

The company has been listed on the stock exchange in Germany since 2006 and currently develops and produces in Germany, China, Taiwan, Slovakia, Hungary and Italy. It also has sales and service branches in the United States and India. Manz AG currently employs around 1,700 people, about half of whom are in Asia. With the claim "passion for efficiency", Manz offers its customers in dynamic, future-oriented industries a commitment to provide production systems that embody maximum efficiency and innovation. With its comprehensive expertise in developing new production technologies and related machines, the company contributes substantially to reducing production costs for end products and making them accessible to large groups of buyers all over the world.

Contact

cometis AG
Claudius Krause
Tel.: +49 (0)611 - 205855-28
Fax: +49 (0)611 - 205855-66
E-mail: krause@cometis.de

Manz AG
Axel Bartmann
Tel.: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-395
Fax: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-99
E-mail: abartmann@manz.com