Centrotherm International : enters new growth area with innovative technology concepts for the production of carbon fibers

centrotherm (ISIN: DE000A1TNMM9 and DE000A1TNMN7) has developed an innovative technology concept to stabilize carbon fiber precursors together with the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF). The concept is based on centrotherm's low-pressure technology and enables optimal control of process atmosphere and oxygen concentration. Compared with conventional production concepts, process duration is reduced by up to 30% and energy consumption is cut by up to 50%.
Dr. E. Frank, Head of Carbon Fibers and New Materials at DITF, summarizes the production concept's benefits as follows: 'Besides the significant reduction in manufacturing costs, we found the higher homogeneity of the stabilized fibers particularly compelling.' He adds: 'In centrotherm we have found an ideal industrial partner for our research project, which the ministry of economics of Baden-Württemberg is sponsoring.'

Today at the corporate headquarters in Blaubeuren, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board Robert M. Hartung and Management Board member Gunter Fauth as well as development team members Andreas Keller and Manuel M. Clauss handed over the first laboratory furnace to the DITF. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) were represented by Prof. Dr. Michael R. Buchmeiser (Ex-ecutive Board member), Dr. Bernd Clauß (deputy Executive Board member), Dr. Erik Frank (Head of Carbon Fiber Development, New Materials) and Dr. Frank Hermanutz (Head of Biopolymers, Wet Spinning). Guests of honor included Manuel Hagel, member of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg and General Secretary of the CDU party of Baden-Württemberg, Dr. Joachim Wekerle Head of Division Gesundheitsindustrie, Chemie und Werkstoffe at the Ministry of Economics of Baden-Württemberg, Jörg Seibold, mayor of Blaubeuren as well as Jürgen Stoll, Head of Finance of Blaubeuren.

Manuel Hagel enthuses: 'A great day for centrotherm and the region. The company has once again proven that it stands for innovation and creativity and thus contributes significantly to securing prosperity in our homeland. The implementation of the project was also of particular concern to me. That's why I liked to accompany it from the beginning. I am very pleased that the R&D system was handed over today and that I was allowed to be part of this celebration'.

'The delivery of the first c.LAB Carbon to DITF represents an important milestone for centrotherm's diversification and future development,' emphasizes Robert M. Hartung, before adding: 'As a technology and system supplier, we are entering a further growth area for our innovative production solutions, which forms a complement to the photovoltaic and semiconductor industries.

'The centrotherm production concept has a modular design and is scalable. While c.LAB Carbon offers maximum flexibility and an annual capacity of one ton for research & development, the c.STAB Carbon production and pilot systems cover annual production capacities of 10, 20 and 250 tons per system unit.

Gunter Fauth, Management Board member responsible for Operations at centrotherm: 'Our innovative technology concept has the potential to replace existing manufacturing processes and to become established as a new standard in the industry. We will continue our research partnership with the DITF and also develop production solutions for fiber carbonization together with industrial partners.'

The DITF presented the new technology to the international public at the specialist GOCarbonFibre conference in early October in Berlin for the first time. centrotherm will present its production concept on November 29, 2018 at the 'Functionalization & New Materials: New Chemistries' session at 15:10 hours at the Aachen - Dresden - Denkendorf International Textile Conference 2018.

About centrotherm international AG

centrotherm has been developing and realizing innovative thermal solutions for more than 60 years. As a leading, globally active technology group, we offer production solutions for the photovoltaic, semiconductor and microelectronics industries.

The continuous further development of our successful solutions in thermal processing and coating, such as for crystalline solar cell and semiconductor manufacturing, forms the basis for successful partnerships with industry, research and development.

Our customers worldwide appreciate the process stability, scalability and availability of our production systems in mass production. Our work is also distinguished by the fact that we create specific, high-end process technology solutions tailored to our customers' requirements, and that we are outstanding in system construction.

Together, we face the daily challenges of setting new trends, maximizing production efficiency (such as for solar cells and semiconductors), and - paired with our systems' durability - securing investments.

We thereby generate sustainable competitive advantages for our customers through targeted innovations in processes and production solutions.

We engage around 650 employees worldwide to further develop high-tech solutions for key markets.

centrotherm international AG
Württemberger Str. 31
89143 Blaubeuren
Internet: www.centrotherm.de
German Securities Identification Number (WKN): A1TNMM (bearer shares); A1TNMN (unlisted shares from the non-cash capital increase)
ISIN: DE000A1TNMM9 (bearer shares); DE000A1TNMN7 (unlisted shares from the non-cash capital increase)
Inclusion: Basic Board, Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Corporate domicile: Germany

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Nathalie Albrecht
Manager Public & Investor Relations
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