Energy Conversion Devices Announces Multi-Year Supply Agreement with Marcegaglia

Rochester Hills, Mich., USA - Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) and Marcegaglia S.p.A., a leading Italian steel manufacturing company, announced a combined multi-year supply agreement for UNI-SOLAR

Under the agreement, ECD's subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic (USO), will supply Marcegaglia with individual photovoltaic (PV) cells for use in integrated commercial roofing products that Marcegaglia is developing based on its industry-leading metal roofing products. Marcegaglia expects to introduce the solar-integrated metal roofing products to the market in 2010.

Mark Morelli, ECD's president and chief executive officer said, "Marcegaglia currently purchases complete solar laminates from USO for incorporation into its existing metal roofing products. With this agreement, we are extending our relationship with Marcegaglia to create a new building integrated product for the Italian and European markets. The agreement enables Marcegaglia to optimize the integration of our PV cells into their roofing material and situates us closer to our end market."

"Individual UNI-SOLAR cells can be easily integrated into Marcegaglia's corrugated insulated panel without any additional dimensional rework. The goal is to drive costs down and create innovative new products at the same time," said Marcegaglia's President and CEO, Antonio Marcegaglia. "We have obtained very positive feedback from our customers on the UNI-SOLAR product and through this agreement we will jointly deliver a new customer experience," he added.

Source: IWR Online, 13 Nov 2008