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Preliminary financial results for 2009 show that the Komax Group saw total sales down approximately 40% compared with 2008 and an expected loss incurred for the year. This is the first loss the company has ever posted. However, its solar business, particularly in its crystalline unit, improved in the second-half of the year, helping the group to a positive operating position in the fourth quarter. However, after significant new thin-film RD&E work in 2009 and lacklustre demand, the company said it would reduce its headcount in the thin film unit by 30, to match the changed business environment.

A recent awards ceremony organised by the Aberdeen Group, a market research company that focuses on the global technology industry, saw Komax USA receive a prestigious award for its process technology. The Service Management Achievement Awards bestowed the title of winner of the 2009 Process Excellence Award on the automation company for its “process ingenuity, agility, flexibility and scalability to address evolving business requirements.”

The Komax Group has warned that group sales in the first half of 2009 will see a ‘huge decline,’ resulting in losses without given further guidance. Komax has been hit by a sales decline in the struggling automotive industry but has been affected by the tight financial markets, especially for project finance for major photovoltaics plants, the company said.

Taking advantage of the growth in both crystalline and thin-film photovoltaics growth in 2008, the Komax Group posted a doubling of equipment sales in the sector for its 2008 financial year. Approximately 16% of sales now come from the PV sector. Komax posted sales of CHF 341.9 million, 2.0% down on the previous year, due primarily to a fall in demand from its automotive industry division.

On the back of the 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition held in Valencia, Spain last week, Komax Holding AG has received orders worth over CHF 30 million, which includes a significant order from Algatec Solar AG for Komax’s crystalline solar module automation systems for a new 160MW module plant.The Algatec Solar order includes stringer and layup systems.

Komax Group said that 2007 sales increased by approximately 10 percent, reaching CHF 350 million. Asia growth was put at 70 percent, while European revenues grew by 1 percent. Order intake rose by 19 percent from CHF 328 million in 2006 to CHF 389 million in 2007.

Product Briefing Outline: Komax Solar has developed new sealing equipment for thin film modules. The new equipment enables a continuous and precise hot melt dispensing of high-viscous butyl. The hot application of the butyl improves the adhesion and therefore the protection of the module against humidity. The higher accuracy of the hot melt butyl placement (compared to the commonly used butyl stripes) allows a simpler system for the EVA or PVB cutting and marriage. In addition, the dispensing out of barrels enables a 24-hour operation without material exchange.

Product Briefing Outline: Komax AG has introduced its new thin-film bussing system which enables precise dispensing of one and two component glue. The existing ribbon handling technology was further improved to eliminate the chambering of the ribbon, which allows the ribbon to be supplied from bigger spools. A system with middle bus bar is also available. In order to cover and fix the ribbon, a black cover tape can be applied as it is often used for CIGS modules. If no tapes are needed, the glue can be cured directly in an additional cell. An automatic cross contacting is available.