Together with a number of other partners, AGC Glass Europe is helping to give Soltech a new lease of life. The spin-off company of imec (the R&D hub for nano- and digital technologies) specialising in tailor-made building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), collapsed in March 2021 as there were insufficient funds for the innovation and automation needed.
Along with AGC Glass Europe, Metal processor Hegge B.V., Limburg investment company LRM, environmental holding company Nuhma and RSQ Investors have decided to infuse new life into Soltech by means of a joint capital injection of 1.9 million euros. It will process solar panels for applications in roofing, canopies, glazing or acoustic screens, but also solar modules for vehicles. From the existing production site in Tienen (Belgium) the highly specialised team stands ready to resume intensive collaboration with renowned knowledge institutions such as Energyville, imec, IMMOMEC and UHasselt.
Strong growth in the solar cell market
AGC Glass Europe
Bas van de Kreeke, the new CEO of Soltech, said: “The market of solar panels or photovoltaic cells is still growing strongly. Innovation in materials and processes remains necessary for greater and stable profitability, new applications and lower production costs. The traditional solar panels are mostly produced in China and sold at prices that European producers can no longer match. Thus, Soltech is switching approach and will focus on building-integrated PV panels that require very considerable know-how and flexible, fast, customised production. And this we can produce in Belgium and even make a reasonable margin on it.”
What appeals particularly to AGC Glass Europe in this respect is the presence of a local value chain and the fact that the development of solar panels is being driven strongly by increasing moves towards sustainability and circularity. Patrick Van Bortel, Vice President Industrial & New Business at AGC Glass Europe said, “As the European leader in flat glass with its headquarters in Belgium we’re stepping into this initiative fully convinced. The BIPV market is in full development, and – in line with the EU Green Deal – AGC Glass Europe is determined to play a leading role in making the construction sector sustainable.”
