Silicon Genesis Corporation (SiGen), a leader in process and technology for engineered substrates, announced that it has signed an equipment development and supply agreement with NorSun AS of Oslo, Norway, a manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon wafers with established production capacity in Vanta (Finland) and Ardal (Norway) and planned crystal pulling and wafering operations in Singapore.
Under the agreement, NorSun will evaluate SiGen?s PolyMax ?kerf-free? substrate samples made at SiGen?s new pilot manufacturing facility and collaborate in optimizing the high-volume manufacturing equipment design that can process silicon ingots into kerf-free wafers of 150um thickness and below. The agreement also includes commercial terms for supply of HVM production equipment to NorSun.
Francois Henley, president and CEO of Silicon Genesis said: ?The collaboration and supply agreement with NorSun is one key step forward in our PolyMax? commercialization plan. The agreement will provide us with a solid foundation to accelerate our product development and customer visibility. The technology?s major cost benefits and uniquely realizable wafer thickness roadmap to 50um and thinner continues to attract the attention of world-class PV companies.?
Jon Hindar, CEO of NorSun added: ?NorSun recognized the importance and potential of this innovative ?kerf-free? wafering technology to produce more high-efficiency wafers out of less silicon material. We are looking forward to working with SiGen to develop this capability that can play a key part to support NorSun?s strong growth and demand for our products in the global market. We continue to implement our goal to become the world leading supplier of superior quality silicon wafers for high efficiency solar cells.?