New laser transfer printing process from BASF and Schmid

• Contact-free printing technology and corresponding silver pastes increase efficiency in wafer production

• Innovation presented for the first time at the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Hamburg

• Market launch of the technology planned for early 2010

Ludwigshafen and Schwetzingen/Freudenstadt –September 16, 2009 – BASF and Schmid have jointly developed a new, contact-free laser transfer printing (LTP) process for metallizing the front and back of solar cells. At present, it is mainly the screen printing process that is used for metallization. The printer and paste system now developed by BASF and Schmid is based on a contact-free laser process and not only offers customers advantages with regard to handling, but also increases the efficiency of cell production. Thus, for example, the breakage rate is reduced and the throughput increased, and it is possible to handle solar cells below 180 µm. Furthermore, because they contain no lead, the BASF pastes are especially environment-friendly. The silver and aluminum pastes are also available as water-based products, i.e. free of solvents, which should lead to significant production improvements, especially in cell manufacturing.

As a company with many years’ experience in the field of metal pastes for a variety of applications, BASF started work on the development of silver pastes for the photovoltaic industry in 2005: “We wanted to meet industry’s requirements in this field and not only offer ‘conventional’ lead-free silver pastes, but also try to improve the metallization process itself,” says Dr. Frank Kleine Jäger, project manager for silver pastes at BASF. This led to the idea of developing a laser printing technology and solvent-free silver pastes specifically tailored to it. BASF soon found the right partner in the form of aurentum Innovationstechnologie GmbH, a company based in Mainz, Germany, which developed the contact-free laser printing process for printing with the customized lead-free pastes.

In order to be able to test the technology and pastes on an industrial scale, BASF, at the end of 2008, concluded a joint development agreement with the Schmid Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of machinery for the production of solar cells. “With Schmid we managed to gain one of the most innovative partners, which has a great deal of expertise not only in machine manufacturing, but also in the solar industry itself,” says Kleine Jäger, “only together were we able to transform our idea so quickly and flexibly into a real production machine that actually worked.”

The LTP PV 1500 laser transfer printer was developed by the Schmid Group to completely replace the existing screen printing process. It can be used for coating both the backs of solar cells with aluminum and aluminum/silver and the fronts with silver. The system can be integrated into existing production lines and is suitable for all types and sizes of cells. There are plans for technical interlinking for combined printing of fronts and backs. The LTP printer achieves a throughput of 1500 wafers per hour and works without any contact at all, in order to prevent any mechanical stress on the wafers. A wafer for printing is prepositioned, held in place on a vacuum conveyor and then passed through under the laser. The laser beam separates the metallization paste from the carrier film and transfers the paste to the wafer. The paste on the film is constantly replaced in a cycle. An integrated ink supply with viscosity control ensures that pastes with different compositions can be used. Because the printing is done digitally, any patterns can be printed and serialization of the individual printed wafers is possible.

As from 2010 BASF will be offering customized metallization pastes for mono- and multicrystalline solar cells that are designed specifically for the new LTP process and can also be used in conventional screen printing. The portfolio will comprise both silver pastes for front side printing and aluminum-based pastes for printing of back sides.

Between September 21 and 24 anyone who is interested can find out about the new process at the 24th EUPVSEC: from BASF at booth B6/39 and from SCHMID at booth B7/52.

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.de.

About Schmid

Schmid is worldwide the market leader for production equipment in PCB-manufacturing and in the Photovoltaic industry. The Photovoltaic process equipment covers the entire value added chain for the silicon-based wafer, cell and module manufacture. The product portfolio comprises wet process equipment, fully automatic handling equipment, cell sorter with sun simulation, inkjet technologies and laser applications, optical inspection systems, furnace and diffusion systems as well as atmospheric PCVD system for thin film application – as single equipment or as complete turnkey process lines. Innovative proprietary concepts, not only for solar cells but also for wafer and modules, have been brought up to production standard. As an internationally operating company with 1800 employees, Schmid is worldwide represented by 16 service-branches and has production centers in Germany, Taiwan, Japan and China. In 2008, the Schmid group reached a total turnover of 425 million €, thereof 350 million € have been realized in the Photovoltaic section.

For further information about Schmid see the homepage: www.schmid-group.com

Schmid press contact:

Silke Gaiser

Corporate Communications

Phone: +49 7441 538-380

E-mail: gaiser.sil@schmid-group.com

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