- 15 August 2008 -
SGL expands in wind
CARBON COMPANY SGL Group of Wiesbaden, Germany is acquiring a 51% share of the rotor blade manufacturer Abeking & Rasmussen Rotec GmbH & Co KG, which amongst other things, produces carbon composite wind turbine blades.
The purchase price has not been disclosed, but SGL Group says it will assume managerial responsibility of the joint venture (JV), which will operate under the name SLG Rotec GmbH & Co KG in Lemwerder, the home of A&R Rotec. The deal is subject to approval of German antitrust authorities.
The aim is to position SGL Rotec as a leading rotor blade manufacturer, and to expand into wind energy markets like China, India, Turkey and North America through the establishment of local production sites.
“With this acquisition, SGL Group strengthens its market position as the sole European integrated carbon fibre and composites manufacturer in the dynamically growing wind energy sector,” says Hariolf Kottmann, member of the Board of Management and responsible for Business Area Advanced Materials at SGL Group.
“This forward integration into rotor blade manufacture is therefore a logical and important step in our carbon fibre and composites growth strategy. It enables us to cover the complete value chain and to offer end-to-end services to customers as well as a reliable partner in the wind energy sector,” he adds.
A&R Rotec specialises in manufacturing of high-grade rotor blades and has long-term supply agreements with a number of leading wind turbine manufacturers. It has a stake in Powerblades GmbH, a JV with REpower Systems AG for developing off-shore rotor blades over 60 m in length. It expects a 2008 turnover of approximately €50 million.
SGL Group; www.sglgroup.com
A&R Rotec; www.ar-rotec.de
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