Amtech Systems' Tempress Subsidiary Announces Cleantech Award

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), a global supplier of production and automation systems and related supplies for the manufacture of solar cells, semiconductors, and sapphire and silicon wafers, announced today that its subsidiary, Tempress Systems BV was honored with "The WNF Cleantech Star 2012" award by the World Wide Fund for Nature The Netherlands (WNF) during the third WNF Clean Tech Symposium in Rotterdam. http://www.wnf.nl/cleantechstar2012

The Cleantech Award is given to the most promising and distinctive company in the field of sustainable clean energy in the Netherlands.  It recognizes Tempress Systems' innovative technologies which support the production of higher efficiency solar cells and the company's ongoing focus on next generation solutions for the advancement of solar energy. Higher efficiency solar cells with lower costs will lead to further adoption of solar energy and consequently massive reduction of CO2 emissions. In the development cycle towards the high efficiency solar cells, Tempress successfully collaborated with ECN (Energy research Centre of the Netherlands), a leading research institute for solar in the Netherlands and Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited, a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers. In one year, new cell technology invented by ECN was brought into production in joint effort by the three parties and is now sold by Yingli under the brand name Panda.

Mr. Fokko Pentinga, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "We are honored and proud that we are being recognized for our leading-edge technologies and our ongoing commitment to advancing solar technology.  In 2012, we introduced our ion implant system and new tube-type batch PECVD as next cycle solar technologies.  Our ion implanter has allowed us to make significant progress in process development.  In 2013, we look forward to furthering solar through continued investment in research and development including the continued development of advanced P- and N-type cell technology.  Our goal is to continue to develop leading-edge technologies to support our customers' pursuit of higher efficiency solar cells at a lower total cost of ownership."

Further Dr. Albert Hasper, General Manager of Tempress Systems B.V. commented, "Although the solar industry is suffering from huge overcapacities leading to the severe downturn in the solar industry, Tempress committed itself to continued investments in R&D and new technologies. This Cleantech award is an extra motivation and incentive for Tempress and its employees."

Tempress was awarded the Cleantech award by Ab van der Touw, chairman of the jury and CEO of Siemens in the Netherlands.

About Amtech Systems, Inc.

Amtech Systems, Inc. manufactures capital equipment, including silicon wafer handling automation, thermal processing equipment and related consumables used in fabricating solar cells, LED and semiconductor devices. Semiconductors, or semiconductor chips, are fabricated on silicon wafer substrates, sliced from ingots, and are part of the circuitry, or electronic components, of many products including solar cells, computers, telecommunications devices, automotive products, consumer goods, and industrial automation and control systems. The Company's wafer handling, thermal processing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation, and deposition steps used in the fabrication of solar cells, LEDs, semiconductors, MEMS and the polishing of newly sliced silicon wafers.

SOURCE Amtech Systems, Inc.