Taiflex Scientific, a Taiwan-based maker of flexible CCLs (copper-clad laminates) having stepped into production of back sheets used in photovoltaic (PV) modules, on May 16 signed with US-based E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) for licensed use of the latter's manufacturing technology of back sheets and supply of necessary materials, with production to begin in the first quarter of 2012, according to Taiflex.

Taiflex produces 20 meters of PV back sheets per minute using conventional coating process, and adoption of DuPont's technology can hike output per minute to 50-60 meters, Taiflex pointed out. In addition, adoption of DuPont's technology enables Taiflex to produce necessary materials in house as compared with supply from outside using coating process, and therefore can reduce material costs.

DuPont's licensing is globally exclusive for at least two years, and Taiflex will pay royalty fees, equivalent to a certain percentage of revenues from sales of the back sheet product, to DuPont and both will cooperate to market the product globally, Taiflex indicated.

Taiflex expects revenues for the second quarter of 2011 to slightly drop on quarter due to decreased demand for PV back sheets.