centrotherm international AG strengthens its core business by selling its subsidiary FHR Anlagenbau GmbH to Vital

Blaubeuren/Guangzhou, December 05, 2019 - centrotherm international AG, Blaubeuren, (ISIN: DE000A1TNMM9 and DE000A1TNMN7) today signed a contract to sell 100% of the shares of its subsidiary FHR Anlagenbau GmbH to the Vital group headquartered in Guangzhou. The closing of the contract is expected until end of February 2020.

With the sale of the company, the technology and system provider centrotherm strategically focuses on its core competencies in thermal processes. At the same time, the transaction proceeds strengthen the equity of the technology and system supplier and create the basis for future investments in new innovative production solutions.

The Vital group is focused on rare-metals-based advanced materials and resource recycling. Vital is the world's leading manufacturer of selenium and tellurium products as well as a key producer of gallium, indium, germanium and other products. Vital's products are used by diverse end markets and high-tech applications such as semiconductors, displays, electronics, photovoltaics and LED. With the acquisition of FHR Vital pursues its vertical integrated business model in the area of thin film materials and sputtering targets.

Gunter Fauth, COO of centrotherm international summarizes: "The sale of our subsidiary FHR is an important milestone for the future development of centrotherm. The proceeds of the transaction will also be invested in the development of new production solutions for the photovoltaics, semiconductor as well as other industries." and went on to add: "We see a lot of synergies between FHR and Vital."

George Zhu, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Vital summarizes the transaction's benefits as follows: "FHR perfectly suits in our business model. Their profound expertise in thin film and their vacuum coating equipment will contribute to a further expansion of Vital's product and service portfolio. At the same time, we expand our international presence to twelve countries."

About centrotherm international AG

centrotherm has been developing and realizing innovative thermal solutions for over 70 years. As a leading and globally operating technology group, we offer production solutions for the photovoltaic, semiconductor and microelectronics industries.

The continuous further development of our successful solutions in thermal processing and coating, such as for manufacturing crystalline solar cells and power semiconductors, form the basis for our successful partnerships with industry, research and development.

Our customers worldwide appreciate our production systems' process stability, scalability and availability in mass production. Above and beyond this, our work is distinguished by the fact that we create high-end process technology solutions which are specific for our customers and tailored to their requirements, and the fact that we are outstanding in system building.

We jointly confront the daily challenges of setting new trends, maximizing the efficiency of producing, for example, solar cells and semiconductors, and securing investments, coupled with our long machine lifetimes.

In this way, we generate valuable competitive advantages for our customers through targeted process innovations and production solutions.

Our around 530 staff worldwide are committed to the further development of high-tech solutions for key markets.

centrotherm international AG
Württemberger Str. 31
89143 Blaubeuren
Internet: www.centrotherm.world
German Securities Identification Number (WKN): A1TNMM (bearer shares); A1TNMN (unlisted shares from the non-cash capital increase)
ISIN: DE000A1TNMM9 (bearer shares); DE000A1TNMN7 (unlisted shares from the non-cash capital increase)
Inclusion: Basic Board, Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Corporate domicile: Germany

Contact:
Nathalie Albrecht
Manager Public & Investor Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-6304
E-mail: [email protected]