Amsterdam, 29 April 2010 --- AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. ("AMG," EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: "AMG") announced that its Engineering Systems Division, ALD Vacuum Technologies ("ALD") developed the next generation single crucible solar melting and crystallization vacuum furnaces - the SCU 600plus. The SCU 600plus incorporates ALD's latest crystallization technology and is capable of handling load sizes up to 800kg.
This second generation system, the SCU 600plus, utilizes up to 60% larger batch sizes compared to the the SCU 400, resulting in over 30% reduction in crystallization costs. The SCU 600plus furnace series is designed to process the full range of crucibles including, both G5 and G6 types, and has a high degree of flexibility in batch sizes, while ensuring the same high quality melting and crystallization as ALD's SCU 400 systems. The new system is designed to enable current SCU 400 operators to easily transition to SCU 600plus systems.
AMG has successfully produced high quality ingots utilizing the SCU 600plus. These systems will be available beginning in the second quarter 2010. With a global installed capacity of over 3 GW peak or the equivalent of 450 ALD SCU ingot furnaces, AMG is a recognized as a leading technology provider to the solar wafer industry.