Tedlar® films serve as the critical backsheet component of solar modules, providing long-term durability in all-weather conditions. The first phase of this multi-phase production expansion plan represents more than $120 million in investment and will increase the capacity of monomer and resin used in producing Tedlar® films by over 50%.
DuPont anticipates that the PV market will grow rapidly over the next several years, and this growth will drive the demand for Tedlar® and other new materials that increase the lifetime and efficiency of solar cells and modules. Site selections for this phase of the Tedlar® products capacity expansion are complete, and construction has begun for new monomer and resin facilities at DuPont’s US sites in Louisville, Ky., and Fayetteville, N.C., respectively. The facilities are scheduled to start up in mid-2010.
“This investment supports the significant increase in the global market demand for clean, renewable energy,” said David B. Miller, group vice president – DuPont Electronic & Communication Technologies. “Our capacity expansions are critical steps in growing the Tedlar® business and maintaining our market leadership in backsheets for solar panels that deliver the long-term, reliable power supply that our customers have come to expect from their investment in renewable power generation.”
DuPont has already implemented capacity expansions in 2009 for Tedlar® PV2100 series film and is completing the engineering and design for a planned expansion of Tedlar® PV2000 series film production, which together will more than double Tedlar® film capacity for the photovoltaic industry.
The investment reflects the company’s commitment, announced recently, to focus on meeting four emerging global trends, one of which is decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.
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