Heraeus Poised to Defend Intellectual Property Position

-- Heraeus plans to assist customer develop transition plans if their suppliers' pastes infringes on Heraeus patents.

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Apr 28, 2015, 01:00 ET

SHANGHAI, April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Through acquisition, partnerships and intense internal development, Heraeus has elevated its intellectual property position in metallization pastes for solar cells. This expansion in protected technology, including last month's announcement of the co-ownership of patents TWI453930 and TWI432539 and their foreign counterparts, has heightened Heraeus' need to proactively protect its intellectual property assets.

"Heraeus' excellence is based on the ability to provide our customers with innovative products that allow them to offer very competitive solar cells on the market," states Andreas Liebheit, Head of Heraeus Photovoltaics Global Business Unit. He further outlines that a strong IP portfolio is key to protect Heraeus and his customers against risks arising from the sale and use of silver pastes for photovoltaic cells. "In a technology- and IP-driven market we will carefully monitor the market and expect from our competitors that they do not violate Heraeus' patents. In case this expectation is not met, Heraeus will defend its IP and support the products of its customers. If a customer realizes that he uses infringing products, we will assist our customers to develop transition plans," says Liebheit.

About the Heraeus Photovoltaics Global Business Unit

The Heraeus Photovoltaics Global Business Unit is an industry leading developer and manufacturer of silver metallization pastes for the photovoltaic industry. For over 40 years, Heraeus has built a reputation of innovation, extensive research and new product development in thick film technologies for some of the most prominent companies within a variety of industries. In the field of photovoltaics, the Heraeus Photovoltaics Business Unit applies this history and its innovative technology to offer metallization pastes for solar cell applications. The Heraeus SOL Series of silver pastes is specially formulated to provide higher efficiencies and wider processing windows, resulting in better yields and higher output for cell manufacturers.

About Heraeus

Heraeus, the technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a leading international family-owned company formed in 1851. We create high-value solutions for our customers, strengthening their competitiveness for the long term. Our activities focus on a number of markets: chemical and metals, energy and the environment, communications and electronics, health, mobility, and industrial applications. In fiscal year 2013, Heraeus achieved product revenue of €3.6 billion and precious metals trading revenue of €13.5 billion. With some 12,500 employees in over 110 subsidiaries worldwide, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets.

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