H.C. Starck: Choice Vendor of Hot Zones for ARC Energy CHES Systems

NEWTON, Mass., April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- H.C. Starck announces that it has been chosen by ARC Energy to supply hot zones and furnace components fabricated from high performance technology metals for ARC Energy's CHES furnaces.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090625/NE38551LOGO)

Sapphire crystal-growing for the LED market is very challenging and competitive, so hot zone assemblies and furnace components are critical to the crystal-growth process. These products control the gradient temperatures and maximize the crystal boule yields. Another extremely critical factor to sapphire crystal growers is consistency. H.C. Starck's vertically integrated supply chain controls every step of the process: from powder to rolling, bending, and complex assembly techniques, to deliver high quality products with assured consistency to the marketplace.

"ARC Energy is pleased to announce H.C. Starck has passed our rigorous qualification process for supplying furnace components," said Dr. Rick Schwerdtfeger, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for ARC Energy.  "Authorizing H.C. Starck gives CHES furnace customers more choices, yet assures the same quality and performance to meet the original furnace specifications."

To be closer to its customer base in Asia, H.C. Starck significantly expanded production capabilities at its Taicang, China facility to provide best-in-class products and services.  

"We are delighted to enter into this agreement with ARC Energy and become their authorized hot zone vendor. ARC Energy's unique on-axis process delivers tremendous advantages for large size substrates, but also requires precision and highest quality of critical system components such as hot zones. With our fully operational capabilities in Taicang, we are in a unique position to service the CHES platforms installed in Asia and allow the end users to benefit from our manufacturing excellence and global capabilities," said Dmitry Shashkov, Member of H.C. Starck's Executive Board and Head of the Business Unit Fabricated Products.

The HB-LED industry has advanced rapidly in the past few years with growth in TV backlighting and general lighting applications. Manufacturing of LEDs on 150mm and 200mm substrates is widely identified as key to lowering costs and driving growth for the general lighting market. H.C. Starck has positioned itself to be among the global leaders servicing the LED sapphire crystal market with its global footprint and engineering excellence.

Further enhancing H.C. Starck's secure material supply chain in China is the joint venture with Jiangxi Rare Metals Tungsten Group Holding Co. Ltd. (JXTC). Once operational, the facility will provide higher quality tungsten products to H.C. Starck's vertically integrated supply chain, a distinct advantage to serve the fast growing markets in Asia.

About H.C. Starck
The H.C. Starck Group is a leading global supplier of technology metals and advanced ceramics, and serves growing industries such as the electronics, chemicals, automotive, medical technology, aerospace, energy technology, and environmental technology industries, as well as mechanical engineering companies and tool manufacturers, from its own 12 manufacturing facilities located in Europe, Americas, and Asia. As of December 31, 2012, the company had 2,926 employees in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, China, Japan, and Thailand. For more information about H.C. Starck, visit www.hcstarck.com.

About ARC Energy
Headquartered in Nashua, N.H., the Advanced Renewable Energy Company, LLC (ARC Energy) was founded in 2007 to commercialize cutting-edge technologies for LED and other clean energy markets. For additional information about ARC Energy, please visit www.arc-energy.com.

SOURCE H.C. Starck