News Article
BluGlass & SPTS JV to establish R&D RPCVD site in UK
The JV says feedback from customers indicates that the theoretical performance advantages of RPCVD are now recognised as the core value proposition for the LED industry.
Australian based Bluglass Limited and UK based SPTS have, as part of a Joint Venture (JV), commenced the establishment of a Remote Plasma CVD (RPCVD) research and demonstration site in the UK.
This facility will include the retrofit of a field-proven SPTS CVD production platform to incorporate its RPCVD technology. The JV, focused on the commercialisation of the RPCVD technology for LED production, commenced in October of 2010 and has seen the establishment of a JV team in Silverwater Australia, and now in the UK.
Progress is being made on all fronts with some milestones progressing faster than others. The technology has seen some significant improvements, however due to repair and maintenance issues with the 5th Generation RPCVD tool, leading to machine downtime, there has been some delay in achieving single crystal material at the high standard set by the company.
Despite this, progress has been made on this milestone and other improvements such as greater growth rates when compared to previous generations. The JV is still working towards the achievement of quality single crystal material and is very confident in its achievability.
SPTS has also strengthened its involvement in the JV with the commencement of the design of its RPCVD research and demonstration site and machine in the UK.
President of SPTS, William Johnson said “SPTS believes in the RPCVD technology, firmly supporting the commercial potential of our Joint Venture with BluGlass. Having engaged with our LED customers we are encouraged by their validation of the RPCVD value proposition and level of interest in the outcomes of the Joint Venture.”
“Accordingly SPTS have further strengthened our commitment to the JV with the allocation of additional resources, budget and the advanced commencement of activity and research here in the UK,” Johnson added.
Feedback from customers indicates that the theoretical performance advantages of RPCVD are now recognised as the core value proposition for the LED industry. The RPCVD process is increasingly anticipated to be used in conjunction with existing technology, broadening the potential market opportunity.
BluGlass CEO, Giles Bourne added, “We have been extremely fortunate to find such an expert and well connected partner to bring our technology to the market. The progression of our technology since the commencement of the JV has been very encouraging”.
The Joint Venture is geared towards the delivery of single crystal material, a top quality demonstration facility in the UK with access to global customers and to surpass the MOCVD benchmark in material quality in order to deliver RPCVD to the mainstream LED manufacturing market.
