SOLON, Ohio, April 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) --Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:ADLTQ) announced today that APL Engineered Materials, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc., has been awarded $2.7 million in funding over the next three years, from DARPA through the Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) to develop a new arc discharge light source for its High Efficiency Distributed Lighting ("HEDLight") project.
DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, selected APL Engineered Materials and its technology partners as the developers and suppliers for new key technologies in high-efficiency, full-spectrum quartz metal halide (QMH) light sources for next generation lighting in ships and other military applications.
APL Engineered Materials, the world's leading supplier of materials for high-intensity discharge lamp applications, has extensive capabilities in lamp materials fabrication and characterization. APL will apply its expertise in these areas to the problems inherent in making a low-wattage light source of high efficiency and brightness with a uniform spectral output. The technology developed under this effort will enhance and expand the use of QMH light sources for use in the HEDLight applications and for use in energy-efficient commercial lighting applications worldwide. ADLT's Venture Lighting International, Inc. division will be supplying equipment and design expertise to APL Engineered Materials.
APL has teamed with Fiberstars, Inc., the world's largest fiber optic lighting company, and Venture Lighting International, another Advanced Lighting company, on the HEDLight project. Fiberstars will serve as technical advisors and consultants to APL in the development of this next generation light source. Fiberstars has recently announced the award of DARPA/AMCOM funding for work on the optics, luminaire and integrated illuminator technology components of the "HEDLight" program. Together, the total funding involving APL Engineered Materials, Fiberstars, Advanced Lighting Technologies and partner companies totals $9.5 million.
Advanced Lighting Technologies CEO Wayne Hellman noted, "APL's participation is expected to supply key new technologies in light sources for high-efficiency distributed lighting. The results of the DoD-funded effort should enhance the existing commercial portfolios of both Advanced Lighting Technologies and its technology partners, providing a path for future growth of the successful technology in the commercial marketplace. The DoD will obtain better technology in the future by working with APL, Advanced Lighting Technologies and Fiberstars. We welcome the opportunity of working with DARPA and our partner companies on this exciting project. I congratulate Dr. Timothy R. Brumleve, APL Vice President of Technology, and his team for the fine job they did in submitting these successful proposals to DARPA."
About Advanced Lighting Technologies
Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc. is an innovation-driven designer, manufacturer and marketer of metal halide lighting products, including materials, system components, systems and equipment. The Company also develops, manufactures and markets passive optical telecommunications devices, components and equipment based on the optical coating technology of its wholly owned subsidiary, Deposition Sciences, Inc.
Forward Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding expected benefits of the DARPA contract work, product introductions and customer acceptance, energy efficiency and statements or implications that the new technology will contribute to future growth. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Risk factors that could affect the future of Advanced Lighting Technologies and its subsidiaries (the "Company") include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with the restructuring process, the ability of the Company to successfully emerge from bankruptcy, the ability of the Company to operate successfully during the reorganization proceeding, and disruptions to the Company's business relationships during the restructuring process. Other risks and uncertainties include the strength of the recovery of the U.S. economy, timely development and market acceptance of new products, including production equipment, the ability to provide adequate incentives to retain and attract key employees, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and other risks detailed in Advanced Lighting Technologies' SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Advanced Lighting Technologies disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.