DGAP-Adhoc: Roth & Rau AG invests in highly efficient solar cell technology

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.
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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 university’s 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 company’s 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.

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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 world’s 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 company’s 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 & Rau’s 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 
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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
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