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News Article

Applied Materials to buy Baccini

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Applied Materials Incorporated has announced an agreement to acquire Baccini, Italy, a supplier of automated metallisation and test systems for manufacturing crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) cells.

This integrated equipment set addresses critical processing steps in c-Si solar cell production that significantly affect solar cell efficiency and yield, while enabling the use of ultrathin silicon wafers. Combining Baccini's products and technologies with Applied's semiconductor interconnect processing expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and R&D resources will provide customers with world-class, automated production technology for fabricating advanced c-Si solar cells.

Baccini's product line provides state-of-the-art material handling automation capable of processing wafers less than 120 micrometers thick, which are significantly thinner than those typically used in the industry. Reliable processing of ultrathin wafers is key to next-generation c-Si manufacturing because it will allow customers to minimise the use of silicon material, which now represents more than 60% of solar cell manufacturing cost.

Under the terms of the agreement, Applied will pay €225 million (or approximately US$330 million at the current exchange rate) in cash for all of the outstanding shares of Baccini. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of certain non-U.S. regulatory approvals. The parties expect to close the transaction in early 2008.

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