Organic solar cell maker Heliatek and FHR Anlagenbau, a company specializing in vacuum process technology, are partnering to construct the first vacuum coating plant for organic photovoltaic (OPV) units. “We have found a professional partner in FHR who has the capability to support us in our strategic long-term capacity expansion plan and with whom we are able to ensure the implementation of the organic-based PV module production,” said Andreas Rückemann, CEO of Heliatek. The foil coating system developed by FHR is a highly integrated production line for organic solar cells with a very small footprint. For the engineers of FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, combining the complex vacuum process technology used for depositioning organic molecules, structuring the molecule layers and laminating the plastic foil was a real challenge. “We are very proud of the integrative work we have done here and are very happy to have found Heliatek, an ideal partner situated close by, which already has a top position within the OPV industry,” said Reinhard Fendler, managing director at FHR. “Organic photovoltaic is a new business area for FHR and our roll-to-roll systems. Strategically, it is very interesting and has a very promising future.” Heliatek and FHR plan to have the new manufacturing facility set up by mid-2011. The first products to be fabricated with the new foil coating system are expected to be available at the start of 2012. The manufacturing facility will be built at the Heliatek location in Dresden. Heliatek moved there in May of this year, giving it the space to carry out everything "from lab to fab." With a floor space of about 1700 m², it provides enough room not only for production but also for expansion of the laboratories and research units in the coming years. The construction of the first production site is being supported financially by the European Union. For more information, visit: www.fhr.de or www.heliatek.com