Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, today announced a long-term supply contract with Germany’s largest thin-film silicon photovoltaics (PV) module manufacturer, Schüco TF. As part of this, Linde will help Schüco reduce its CO2 emissions by 103,200 tonnes per year.
According to the contract, Linde will deliver on-site fluorine (F2) to its new thin-film module mass production site in Großröhrsdorf, eastern Germany. The expansion of Linde’s patented on-site fluorine technology to Schüco TF’s second manufacturing facility follows a successful production scale implementation on the 40MW Osterweddingen site since March 2009.
As part of the agreement, Linde will construct the largest electronics F2 production plant in Europe, which will see the complete elimination of the use of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 17,200 times greater than carbon dioxide. Accordingly, Linde will help Schüco TF to reduce its emissions by 103,200 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
Carl Jackson, Head of Fluorine Business at Linde Gases Division, described the agreement’s significance. He said, “Linde and Schüco TF have demonstrated their leadership and foresight in helping the thin-film PV industry to reach a watershed moment. Green energy will only get the green light once the entire supply and manufacturing chain works together to minimise the environmental impact of this sector.”
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