DSM to expand its solar product portfolio with Sunshine technology acquisition

DSM entered into a commercial alliance with Sunshine.  Now, through this acquisition, DSM will expand its product portfolio for the solar PV market to include polymer sheets that protect PV solar cells.

Royal DSM, a global science-based company announced that it has acquired the technology and other assets of “Sunshine” (Suzhou SunShine New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.).

In 2016, DSM entered into a commercial alliance with Sunshine.  Now, through this acquisition, DSM will expand its product portfolio for the solar PV market to include polymer sheets that protect PV solar cells. However, both the company did not disclose the financial details.

Polymer backsheets are essential to the performance of solar PV modules: they increase both the modules’ durability and output (kWh). Building on the success of its industry-leading anti-reflective coating, DSM now aims to commercialize a portfolio of innovations focused on lowering the cost of solar energy by providing solid, durable and sustainable materials solutions.

China is the world’s largest producer of photovoltaic modules and also has the greatest demand for PV backsheet coatings. According to Jianguo Wu, Director of CPVT, China’s solar module production rose from 43 GW in 2015 to more than 75 GW in 2016 – and is expected to exceed 100GW towards the end of China’s 13th Five-year Plan (2020). This steep growth underpins the very promising prospects for China’s solar PV industry.

Against this backdrop, new technologies have emerged for the Solar PV market, resulting in high-performance backsheets at affordable cost. With this technology acquisition, DSM embraces a new generation of innovative, adhesive- and non-fluorinated backsheets – balancing the needs of the rapidly developing PV industry with the need to protect the environment through sustainable products.

“Sunshine has been able to combine unique high performance and cost-efficiency without using fluorinated materials,” said Oscar Goddijn, Vice President DSM Advanced Surfaces. “As a high-end, cost-effective, non-fluorinated and fully recyclable product, this backsheet fits very well into DSM’s overall product portfolio and sustainability strategy.”

“The acquisition aligns with DSM’s sustainable development strategy, and also fits with China’s 13th Five-year Plan for Energy. It further demonstrates DSM’s support for growing local products made for global consumption and for expanding China’s clean and green energy market,”said Weiming Jiang, DSM China President.