Roth & Rau AG / Contract 21.05.2008 Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roth & Rau invests in highly efficient solar cell technology Hohenstein-Ernstthal, 21 May 2008 Roth & Rau AG has concluded a development agreement with the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. In a three-year program, equipment and technologies used in the production of highly efficient crystalline silicon solar cells are to be developed with the universitys Institute of Microtechnology (IMT). Roth & Rau AG plans to invest around Euro 14 million in the project during the next three years. This cooperation with one of the leading institutes in the field of semiconductor solar cells will thus secure the companys access to major key technologies in the field of crystalline silicon solar cells. Roth & Rau Switzerland AG, a Swiss subsidiary founded at the beginning of April and based in Neuchâtel, will take over the contract research for Roth & Rau AG within the framework of this cooperation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information and Explaination of the Issuer to this News: About IMT: The Institute of Microtechnology of Neuchâtel is well-known for its work in the field of thin film silicon solar cells as well as crystalline silicon solar cells. It has triggered the creation of several companies and performed successfully technology transfers with solar cell manufacturers and with a leading supplier of production equipment for thin film silicon solar cell production. About Roth & Rau AG: Roth & Rau AG based in Hohenstein-Ernstthal (ISIN DE000A0JCZ51) is by market share one of the worlds leading suppliers of plasma process systems for the photovoltaics industry. Furthermore Roth & Rau supplies components and process systems based on plasma and ion beam technology for other sectors. Developed by Roth & Rau, these products are manufactured and distributed worldwide through the companys photovoltaic and plasma and ion beam technology divisions. In fiscal year 2007 Roth & Rau achieved according to IFRS an EBIT of Euro 14 million on sales of Euro 146 million, employing an average of 190 people. Roth & Raus photovoltaic division focuses on providing antireflective coating facilities as well as fully automated manufacturing lines (turnkey production lines) for the production of crystalline silicon solar cells. Another focus is on the production of equipment for the coating of thin film solar modules. The plasma and ion beam technology division, which accounted for 6 percent of total sales in the financial year 2007, produces plasma sources and ion beam sources as well as process systems for plasma and ion beam enhanced thin film and surface processing methods. Customers served by this division include, in particular, companies in the semiconductor and automotive industries, R&D departments in various industries including photovoltaics as well as research institutes and universities. Contact: Haubrok Investor Relations GmbH Simone Gorny Kaistraße 16 40221 Düsseldorf Tel.: +49 (0) 211/30126-130 Fax: +49 (0)211/30126-5130 E-Mail: s.gorny@haubrok.de DGAP 21.05.2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Roth & Rau AG An der Baumschule 6-8 09337 Hohenstein-Ernstthal Deutschland Phone: 03723 6685-0 Fax: 03723 6685-100 E-mail: info@roth-rau.de Internet: www.roth-rau.de ISIN: DE000A0JCZ51 WKN: A0JCZ5 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Stuttgart, München, Düsseldorf End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-Adhoc: Roth & Rau AG invests in highly efficient solar cell technology
| Source: EQS Group AG