Westwood, MA, United States — July 25, 2011 — Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany announced today it has signed a collaboration agreement with Nano-C, Inc., a leading developer of nanostructured carbon for use in energy and electronics applications. Both companies aim to jointly develop and commercialize advanced semiconducting materials and formulations for applications in organic photovoltaics (OPV). Additionally, adding to its base of OPV materials, Merck will distribute PCBM fullerene derivative products, a family of semiconducting materials commonly used in OPV applications.
The collaboration will target the development of material systems to go beyond the performance limitations of current-generation OPV materials. It will bring together Merck’s extensive experience with organic semiconducting materials and Nano-C’s unique know-how and intellectual property in fullerene derivatives. Novel material concepts produced using intelligent design will enable power conversion efficiency values in excess of 10%, thereby creating new and broader market interest in organic photovoltaic technologies.
“Nano-C’s world-leading expertise and IP in fullerene technology complements our extensive material portfolio in organic electronics and will enable the rapid development of commercially attractive products for the exciting area of organic photovoltaics,” said Dr. Klaus Bofinger, Head of Advanced Technologies at Merck. “Merck already offers a wide range of materials and formulations for the photovoltaic industry and aims to further strengthen its position in this field,” Bofinger added.
“Nano-C is pleased to have entered into this agreement with Merck, a global leader in chemicals and materials for use in electronics. This agreement builds on our expertise and intellectual property in fullerene derivative development and manufacture and combines it with Merck’s leading-edge polymer development capabilities, marketing and distribution infrastructure. Our agreement with Merck solidifies our leadership position and will provide our customers with surety of supply of high-performance materials that are vital for the future of the OPV industry,” said Viktor Vejins, President and CEO of Nano-C.
Under its lisicon® brand, Merck is actively working on novel organic semiconducting materials for electronic and photovoltaic applications at the Chilworth Technical Centre, its chemicals research site near Southampton, UK. Merck recently invested in the expansion of the Chilworth Technical Centre by adding new chemistry and OPV application testing laboratories to intensify and accelerate new material and formulation developments for the photovoltaics industry.
Two years ago, Nano-C announced an exclusive license from Unidym/Siemens of PCBM, a fullerene derivative widely used in the OPV industry. In addition, approximately one year ago Nano-C received EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) clearance for fullerene and PCBM manufacture on a commercial scale supporting the drive to full commercial availability.
About Nano-C, Inc.
Located in Westwood, Massachusetts, Nano-C is a leading developer of nanostructured carbon for use in energy and electronics applications. These materials include fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and their chemical derivatives. Nano-C’s mission is to play a key role in enabling applications of these materials and is committed to their responsible development and use. Nano-C is a privately held company founded in 2001. For more information, visit:https://www.nano-c.com
Contact:
Viktor Vejins
Nano-C, Inc.
+1-781-407-9417
[email protected]
About Merck KGaA
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 9.3 billion in 2010, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by more than 40,000 employees in 67 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck’s operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.
Contact:
Nina Diergardt
Merck KGaA
Performance Materials
Communications
Frankfurter Strasse 250
64293 Darmstadt
Phone: +49 (0)6151 72-7589
Fax: +49 (0)6151 72-917589
eMail: [email protected]
Internet: www.merck-chemicals.com
All trademarks recognized.
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