Amtech exiting solar sector on expected divestiture of subsidiaries

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
In December 2014, Amtech acquired a 51% controlling interest in SoLayTec and a controlling interest in July 2017. SoLayTec provides ALD systems used in the passivation of high efficiency solar cells, including PERC and various hybrids. Image: Amtech Systems

PV equipment and technology specialist, Amtech Systems is to sell its solar manufacturing equipment subsidiaries that included Tempress and SoLayTec to focus its semiconductor sector business.

The company had previously undertaken a review of its solar business late in 2018, which included the departure of Amtech’s CEO, Fokko Pentinga, after 24 years of service. The company has noted the impact from the China 531 New Deal at the end of May, 2018, which led to a slowdown in a number of Chinese PV manufacturers continuing with previously announced capacity expansions plans. Later, Amtech noted that a major order from a Chinese customer had been cancelled.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Profitability had been an issue in its solar segment in recent years, while its order backlog declined. The company had previously reported a net loss of US$7.1 million within its solar business in FY2018, after a net profit of US$6.1 million in FY2017.

The company had previously reported a net loss of US$7.1 million within its solar business in FY2018, after a net profit of US$6.1 million in FY2017.

In a first quarter 2019 presentation, Amtech noted that it had little visibility in the future business of its solar segment as well as strong competition from Chinese equipment manufacturers with “good enough” equipment, while “superior technology not enough to win in [the] current CAPEX constrained market environment.”

In a financial statement, Amtech noted that it had adopted a plan to sell its solar operations on or before March 31, 2020. However, it was unable to assess at this time the costs associated with the planned sale. 

Amtech's J.S. Whang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the planned sale, “In November 2018 we announced that we had initiated a comprehensive review of our solar businesses.  In a February update we noted thus far our review strongly indicates that our combined Semi and SiC/LED polishing business provide better markets for enhancing the value of Amtech Group. We have recently completed our assessment and conclude, along with Tempress and SoLayTec management, that significant investment is required to effectively compete in the changing solar industry. We therefore conclude Tempress and SoLayTec would be better positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the solar industry under new ownership.”

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

September 5, 2025
Scientists from Germany and Saudi Arabia have discovered that perovskite thin-film cells are compatible with current industry standard silicon solar cells, which they claim is a “crucial step toward the industrialisation of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells”.
September 2, 2025
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) will build a pilot solar cell line in Germany to support US manufacturer Talon PV’s efforts to establish solar cell capacity in the US.
September 1, 2025
Solar Organic Centro España is planning to build a 10GW solar module and battery manufacturing facility in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha.
August 27, 2025
Long-term procurement decisions from the US solar industry could support US solar manufacturing, regardless of changes to federal tax credits, PV Tech has heard.
August 26, 2025
US-based solar module manufacturer Bila Solar will include US-made steel module frames in its 550W dual-glass products.
August 21, 2025
JA Solar's CTO, Zi Ouyang, discusses the company's latest module technologies and why the future is tandem.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines