ASCA and Nano-C intensify partnership
Organic photovoltaics (OPV) expert ASCA has expanded the color portfolio of its solar films by integrating new acceptor materials into its products. The ASCA company is receiving the novel materials from its long-standing partner Nano-C.
US-based Nano-C specializes in developing nanostructured carbons for energy and electronics applications. ASCA uses the company’s materials, including fullerenes and their derivatives, for the photoactive layers of its OPV films. The hollow, closed molecules – whose carbon atoms arrange themselves in pentagons or hexagons – constitute a chemical modification of the element carbon and their electronic properties make them suitable for OPV applications.
Nano-C’s new fullerene-based electron acceptors can be easily processed in a roll-to-roll process, thus making it possible to produce gray OPV modules that meet the color requirements of the architectural and construction industries. “Since we began working together in 2016, we have successfully assisted ASCA in several projects. Thanks to our trustful and efficient cooperation, we have also recently expanded ASCA’s portfolio while maintaining the highest performance standards. Our success has encouraged us to further expand our partnership,” says Kerin Perez Harwood, Director of Business Development at Nano-C.
ASCA and Nano-C sign partnership agreement
The two companies have now reached a partner agreement to further strengthen their collaboration for the long term. Together, ASCA and Nano-C aim to meet the growing demand for organic solar cells and their components. “The partnership agreement naturally has a positive effect on the material costs of our products,” explains Dr. Sebastian Meier, Vice President of Corporate Development and Partner Management at ASCA. “On the other hand, and much more important, is our stated intention to jointly advance OPV and build a stable partnership in the long term.”
Thus, the partnership includes approaches designed to accommodate the increasing maturity of OPV technology and keep pace with market progress thanks to the scaling they have achieved. In addition, the agreement also includes a technological component: the partners have decided to intensify their joint research and development activities. This means that future novel materials from Nano-C will also be part of the agreement so that the companies can investigate and improve their suitability as acceptors in OPV components.
Press Contact:
Célia Cantaloube (ASCA)
celia.cantaloube@armor-group.com | +33 (0)2 40 38 40 89
About ASCA
ASCA designs and develops intelligent, tailor-made, flexible and low-carbon solar energy solutions on an industrial scale for its international partners. Its team of experts of sixty people is spread over France and Germany. ASCA is a company of ARMOR Group. ARMOR specializes in the industrial formulation of inks and the coating of thin layers onto thin films. The Group is the global market leader in the design and manufacture of thermal transfer ribbons for printing variable traceability data on labels and flexible packaging. With an international presence, ARMOR has nearly 2,450 employees in some 20 different countries. In 2020 it posted annual revenue of €372m. www.asca.com
About Nano-C
Nano-C is a leading innovator and manufacturer in the chemistry of nanostructured carbon, including fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and their chemical derivatives. Nano-C is focused on fundamental technology trends in electronics, energy, and healthcare: the roll-out of 5G, connectivity driven by the Internet of Things, the race to extend Moore’s Law, addressing climate change through sustainable energy generation, and most recently, biopharmaceuticals. Proprietary materials produced by Nano-C are critical links in the value chain for next-generation electronics, sensors, semiconductor manufacturing, and therapeutics. Nano-C’s advanced materials and molecular platform encompasses a portfolio of unique solutions protected by over 215 global patents spanning methods of manufacturing to end-use applications. Through its patented products and processes, and its distinct competencies in the chemistry of these materials, Nano-C is enabling a revolution in device design, manufacture, and performance, and it is committed to their responsible development and use. For more information on Nano-C, Inc. please visit our website www.nano-c.com, follow us on LinkedIn, or email us at nanocinfo@nano-c.com.
