AVANCIS restarts production facility in South Korea. Production start of CIGS Premium Module Factory scheduled for 2019.
Torgau / Ochang (South Korea): AVANCIS, German manufacturer of premium thin-film modules, celebrated in a festive ceremony the reopening of its CIGS PV factory in Ochang, South Korea. The ceremony of the symbolic start of production was held with company representatives from AVANCIS KOREA, AVANCIS Germany and the President of its parent company CNBM, Prof. Peng Shou, as well as government representatives from the Korean province of Chungbuk.
In 2012, AVANCIS had completed the 100 MW factories in South Korea, but did not ramp-up. After a careful examination, the conditions for the former joint venture Hyundai-Avancis had been assessed as not optimal. Last year, the South Korean government targeted to cover 20% of the country’s total electrical energy production from renewable energy sources by 2030 predicting an undeniable growth of the PV market in South Korea. All the more, Oliver Just, CEO of AVANCIS, is now looking forward to the reopening of AVANCIS KOREA.
“We have worked hard and long to get back to our factory in South Korea,” said Oliver Just, CEO of AVANCIS. “Of course, this does not work without a forward-thinking and strong parent company like CNBM. The decisive factor was and still is in times of overcapacities and price declines in PV modules, we are nevertheless experiencing an increasing demand for our aesthetic premium modules in the solar façade sector worldwide. With the return of AVANCIS KOREA, we have the opportunity to manufacture and market our high-quality CIGS modules for Korea and the Asian market. This is a very important milestone for us.”
Ramp-up of the production
All preparatory measures are in full swing for the start of production at AVANCIS KOREA. As part of the update actions, the general overhaul of the equipment and HR hiring process will be completed by end of 2018, ramping of production is scheduled for first half of 2019.