Advanced Technology & Materials Co., Ltd. (AT&M), a Chinese stock-listed high-tech enterprise in advanced materials, and Odersun AG, a German manufacturer of thin-film solar cells and modules, announced the plan to form a joint venture in Beijing, China, for the production and sales of solar cells and modules based on Odersun proprietary thin-film technology.

Odersun and AT&M established their relationship in 2004, when AT&M became an early investor in Odersun and a strategic partner in a number of joint research projects. As recent renewable energy support schemes drive significant growth in the photovoltaic sector in China, both companies now join forces to address the fast-growing market by forming this joint venture.

“We are delighted with this chance to bring highly innovative and flexible solar products based on Odersun’s technology to the growing Chinese market,” says Dr. Zhao Pei, President of AT&M, “Our joint venture is the result of long-term cooperation and trust between Odersun and AT&M.”

AT&M’s expertise in material science and technologies as well as Odersun’s innovative solar technology and market experience, form the mutually beneficial foundation of this collaboration: “Here we have the unique opportunity to address the Chinese market and at the same time to further accelerate innovation at Odersun in cooperation with a highly competent partner,” states Dr. Hein van der Zeeuw, Chief Executive Officer of Odersun AG, “While we continue with our current expansion plans in Germany, our future technology development will benefit from AT&M’s expertise and longtime experience in material technology and manufacturing.”

The construction of the joint venture’s manufacturing facilities in China is expected to start in the course of 2010.

About Advanced Technology and Materials (www.atmcn.com/en/)

Advanced Technology & Materials Co., Ltd. is principally engaged in the development, manufacture, and sale of new materials and related products. The Company is also involved in the trading business and the provision of engineering technologies. The Company offers its products under four categories: extra-hard and refractory materials, functional materials, fine metal products, and biomedical materials.

About Odersun AG (www.odersun.com)

Odersun AG designs and manufactures flexible, silicon free, solar products using a proprietary, worldwide patented, thin-film technology. Its manufacturing process enables the company to produce solar cells that can be assembled into solar modules of virtually any size or any power, in flexible or glass packaging. This adaptability is decisive for applications of building integrated photovoltaics (BiPV).

The company is backed by an international group of leading investors including Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures (UK), Virgin Green Fund (US/UK), Advanced Technology & Materials (China), PCG Clean Energy & Technology Fund (US), AGF Private Equity (a member of Allianz Group, France) and Valor KG (Austria).