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, Beneq Oy, a supplier of equipment and coating technology for global markets based in Finland, announced in a press release. The line delivery is scheduled for Q1 of 2012.
Manufacturing high-quality TCO coated glass for the solar industry
Beneq CEO, 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.
Glass and annealing technology combined with advanced thin film coating
The Beneq coating system, featuring proprietary "nAERO" technology, is fully integrated into Glaston’s "CHF Pro" heat treatment line. The TFC2000 combines 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.
