DGAP-News: Balda AG: Balda and SINGULUS have developed new production technology

23.01.2007

Balda AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

23.01.2007 08:16

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The world’s first integrated production line for surface finishing starts

up in May

Bad Oeynhausen, 23 January 2007 – Balda AG, Bad Oeynhausen (Balda) and

SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG (SINGULUS) have successfully concluded the test

phases for a jointly developed, entirely new production line for the

finishing of plastic components.

The cooperative development venture, which was agreed and launched in

October last year, has resulted in the fully automated integration of the

plastic injection moulding and surface technology process stages. That

means that the injection-moulded plastic components are removed from the

injection moulding machine and transferred to the SINGULUS 3DS metallising

system for the application of a metallic surface, and then to the

non-scratch coating process, fully automatically and without any manual

intervention. This represents the first completely integrated production

sequence of this type anywhere in the world. It enables extremely small

production lots to be produced very efficiently.

Revolutionary technology

Comparable production methods such as vapour deposition or painting are so

far only possible in batch mode, by working through the individual

operations in sequence. With its integrated pre- and follow-up treatment,

this revolutionary new technology generates tremendous savings in time and

money, both in the production process and in logistics. Compared with

galvanisation, there are none of the high operating and disposal costs.

With its cathodic vaporisation (sputtering), the system can provide

3-dimensional plastic components with decorative and protective surfaces in

a vacuum, in a controlled and reproducible manner.

Delivery of the first machine in the beginning of May

‘With this production line, Balda presents itself with a new, efficient

production method, and the opportunity to meet the demands of the various

customer segments in an even more flexible manner. This integrated

production process technology moves us a crucial step closer to our vision

of ‘one-piece flow production,’ according to Ralf Ackermann, Director of

Technology at Balda AG. ‘This fruitful cooperation with Balda offers

SINGULUS the opportunity to enter the market for decorative protective

coatings with what is currently the most innovative product in this sector,

and hence to implement the widely heralded diversification strategy to

great effect,’ explained Stefan A. Baustert, Chairman of the Board of

Management at Singulus.

SINGULUS will be delivering the first production line to Balda in April

this year. At the moment systems for the INFOCOM application area are being

sold exclusively to BALDA. In addition to this, the machine can also be

employed in such areas as cosmetics packaging, and in the toy and

automotive industries. Balda anticipates further orders for the finishing

of plastic surfaces in the financial year 2007.

The Balda Corporate Profile

Balda develops, manufactures, finishes and assembles high-precision

components made from high-performance plastics. The Group supplies

companies in the mobile phone industry and associated markets worldwide.

Balda’s technology in the fields of mould making, production processes and

surface techniques is assuming a leading position worldwide. No other

systems partner in the mobile phone market offers all the necessary

technologies from one source.

The company has a global presence at the important production centres of

the manufacturers of mobile phones. In addition to its plants in Germany,

the Group has three production facilities in China, two in Brazil, as well

as in Malaysia, Hungary and India. With organic growth from the expansion

of the key mobile phone business, and growth arising from technological

diversification, Balda intends both to gain market share in those markets

where it is already active, and to open up associated markets with new

products, increasing added value even further.

Balda Aktiengesellschaft, Bergkirchener Strasse 228, D-32549 Bad

Oeynhausen, Cersten Hellmich, Investor Relations, phone: (05734) 922-2706,

fax: (05734) 922-2691, e-mail: chellmich@balda.de

23.01.2007 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP –

a company of EquityStory AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Language: English

Company: Balda AG

Bergkirchener Str. 228

32549 Bad Oeynhausen

Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 57 34 / 9 22-0

Fax: +49 (0) 57 34 / 9 22-2604

E-mail: info@Balda.de

Internet: www.balda.de

ISIN: DE0005215107

WKN: 521510

Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr

in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart

End of Announcement DGAP News-Service

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