Ducatt NV has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Centrosolar Glas GmbH & Co KG. Ducatt NV is a specialist in ultra-thin, extra strong and patterned glass for solar applications, whereas Centrosolar Glas, based in Germany, is leading in anti-reflective coated solar glass offering maximum light transmission. Together, the two companies form the worldwide technology leader in the solar glass industry.
Ducatt is a thin solar glass specialist. As the world’s first solar glass producer, Ducatt offered the market 2mm ultra-thin, extra strong and patterned glass for solar applications. Thin glass is a key prerequisite for new generation solar energy modules, including glass-glass modules. By acquiring Centrosolar Glas, Ducatt adds the unique Centrosol HiT® anti-reflective coating to its product offering. Ducatt hereby grasps a unique position in the worldwide solar market.
With their own glass melting activities, advanced glass processing business and their own anti-reflective coating, Ducatt becomes a fully integrated solar glass producer. The integration enables future cost and technology improvements.
"With the acquisition of Centrosolar Glas GmbH & Co.KG, Ducatt achieves its goal to produce the ultimate solar glass with a transparency up to 95% and a thickness down to 2 mm”, Roel Bollen, CEO of Ducatt nv, proudly reveals. “This merger enables us to serve the worldwide solar industry with a full range of thin to ultra-thin, tempered, ultra-clear glass, coated or not with the unique Centrosol HiT® anti-reflective coating.”
“The synergies between Ducatt and Centrosolar Glas are obvious”, Ralf Ballasch, CEO of Centrosolar Glas, confirms. “I am confident that with this strategic merger, Ducatt is ideally placed to become thé reference for ultra-clear solar glass. With its solar glass production, processing and anti-reflective coating facilities in Lommel, Belgium and in Fürth, Germany and in China, the company can guarantee its clients fast and flexible deliveries year round”, Ralf Ballasch continues.
The shareholders of Ducatt, the Limburg investment company LRM, Capricorn Cleantech Fund, the Flemish investment company PMV, Quest for Growth and Belfius have a strong belief in the growth potential this acquisition has to offer.
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About Ducatt®, the ultimate solar glass
In 2011, Ducatt built a state-of-the-art integrated glass production line with a capacity of 10 million m² per year, optimized end-to-end to produce the ultimate solar glass “up to 95%, down to 2 mm”.
In 2012, Ducatt enabled a major breakthrough in PV module design by producing the world’s first ultra-clear tempered 2 mm glass for solar applications. Today, market leaders are using this ultra-thin glass to manufacture frameless glass-glass modules that outperform standard PV modules in many respects.
About Centrosolar Glas GmbH & Co KG
Centrosolar Glas was a 100% daughter company of the listed company CENTROSOLAR Group AG, Munich, (stock exchange code WKN 514850). Centrosolar Glas is a leading solar glass manufacturer with an annual production capacity of 8 million m2. Centrosolar Glas is leading in anti-reflective coating, offering higher light transmission and thus higher yields for solar applications.
About Centrosol HiT®, the ultimate anti-reflective coating
For many years now, Centrosol HiT® has been acknowledged globally to be thé anti-reflective coating of choice for high performance PV modules.
Centrosol HiT® nano-power anti-reflective coating substantially increases the transmission through the front glass, in particular at low incident angles – as is the case in the morning, evening and winter - or in diffuse light – as is the case in cloudy weather. Moreover, Centrosol HiT® has hydrophilic surface properties, so raindrops spread out over the glass surface and wash dirt away, which results in an effective self-cleaning effect.
