Nanogate AG: Optics application multiplies output of LEDs – Capital increase boosts influence in the subsidiary Nanogate Advanced Materials
Further market segment for innovative Dotfarm® optics technology – Talks under way on first cooperations for commercial use – Significant contributions to sales and earnings from series production expected from 2010 on – Nanogate makes huge investment in future sales and earnings potential in the "Advanced Applications" business segment – Qualified majority equity holding of around 78% in subsidiary Nanogate Advanced Materials GmbH
Saarbrücken, 18 February 2008. Nanogate AG (ISIN DE000A0JKHC9) is
securing further huge sales and earnings potential with its
ground-breaking Dotfarm® optics technology. The new application
can boost the output of LEDs by a factor of two to ten. Thus, in
addition to the display business, the company is tapping into a second
market segment by refining many different types of LEDs, thereby
entering a dynamic growth market. Nanogate expects initial cooperation
deals to be concluded this year and adaptations into series production
to take place as early as next year. Significant sales and earnings
contributions are expected as of 2010. To fully capitalise on the vast
potential of Dotfarm® optics,
Nanogate will significantly increase investments in the "Advanced
Applications" business segment and the subsidiary Nanogate Advanced
Materials GmbH.
The new application
is not only of interest in business terms: an important contribution
could also be made to reducing global energy consumption. In the area
of climate protection, increasing the economic viability of
environmentally friendly LED systems is seen as a key factor in a wide
range of lighting applications.
The Dotfarm® optics technology, developed and patented by Nanogate, solves the pressing problem of not being able to direct LED-generated light to a sufficient extent. Nanogate is primarily focusing on the market for high-performance LEDs (HB and UHB LEDs). A high-precision, nano-structured surface ensures that the luminous power is more concentrated and targeted. The result: an increase in light output by a factor of two to ten. This new solution thus makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of an LED lighting system. In comparison to a traditional light bulb, this system reduces consumption by approx. 95% and for a traditional neon tube by approx. 75%. A practical example: for a classroom requiring a light output of 100,000 lumen, costs can be reduced by several hundred euros per year.
The Dotfarm® optics application is intended for use in numerous light fittings, e.g. in lamps for buildings, vehicles or in mechanical engineering and toolbuilding. Another fundamental advantage of Nanogate's solution is that production could be carried out in a cost-effective way, employing a generically new nanoimprint technology: the estimated additional costs of 10% to 20% should be able to be amortised within just a few months, solely through energy savings and increased output.
Dynamic market development
The market for LED production is growing rapidly and will grow at an
annual average rate of 14.6% until 2012, to reach an estimated USD 12.3
billion (source: iSuppli). The growth drivers are primarily high-output
LEDs, whose market share is expected to increase from 4% in 2005 to 31%
in 2012, based on production quantities of more than 50 billion units
per year. The market segment of high-output LEDs in particular would
thus reach growth rates (CAGR) amounting to more than 50% over an
extended period of time, making it one of the strongest growing global
markets in optical systems.
Huge potential for Nanogate
Nanogate is expecting to acquire its first cooperative partners for
opening up the market as early as this year. Accordingly, series
production is to be developed next year. The company is anticipating
significant sales and earnings contributions as of 2010. In the medium
to long term, Nanogate sees a sales potential in this business area,
accompanied by considerable licence shares, well into double-digit
millions, with attractive margins.
To open up more market segments and to further develop the Dotfarm® optics technology, Nanogate will significantly increase its investment programme. Firstly, over one million euro will go into the subsidiary Nanogate Advanced Materials GmbH, primarily as a capital increase, thus increasing Nanogate's share to a qualified majority of about 78%. In addition, further capital measures and investments in the "Advanced Applications" business segment are planned as part of the operative advances with Dotfram® optics over the next months.
Ralf Zastrau, CEO of Nanogate AG: "With its Dotfarm® optics technology, Nanogate is offering an attractive solution for improving energy efficiency and thus for a key issue of the 21st century. Ongoing talks with manufacturers confirm the wide range of possibilities for using the technology. We are targeting the right markets with our applications and have the chance to open up huge sales and earnings potential with our investments. By significantly strengthening our investment in Dotfarm® optics, we are able to make an essential contribution to leading Nanogate into a new phase of development over the next years. In the medium and long term, we expect sales potential to reach double-digit millions.”
Background:
Dotfarm® optics
is a fundamentally new optical process. It involves complex,
nanostructured surfaces being produced in conjunction with special
nanocomposite materials, new physical processes and a Nanoimprint
Technology developed by Nanogate. By means of the refined optical
surfaces, more efficient and miniaturised optical components can be
produced, with optimised functionality and very low production costs.
More detailed information on the Dotfarm® optics technology platform is available at www.nanogate.com.
