-->Opcon Autorotor Receives Order from Ballard for Serial Production
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2003 4:26 AM
- PrimeZone

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jun 25, 2003 (PRIMEZONE via COMTEX) -- Opcon Autorotor, a subsidiary of the Swedish listed Group, Opcon AB, has received an additional important order for air systems from Ballard Power Systems, world leader in commercializing fuel cell engines. The new order is for air systems designed for fuel cell engines in cars.

"This order signals that the fuel cell market for cars has entered into a new phase, hence strenghtening Opcon's position on this emerging market at major car manufacturers through Ballard Power Systems. We are very pleased to increase our business with Ballard," said Sven G Oskarsson, CEO for the Opcon Group.

Fuel cells are cleaner for the environment than traditional combustion engines. A fuel cell generates electrical energy to power a vehicle through a chemical process involving hydrogen and oxygen. The only emission is water. Opcon Autorotor's compressor supplies compressed air to the fuel cell. This is a key component that determines the performance level of the fuel cell.

The pace of fuel cell development has increased in recent years, partly due to new energy policies in the US and Europe aimed at reducing the dependence on oil and improving the environment. In the next few years several hundred fuel cell vehicles will be placed in customer's hands as part of a global fleet demonstration."This new order from Ballard shows that fuel cells are leaving the development phase and entering traditional production phase," said Roland Arleback, Managing Director of Opcon Autorotor AB. The order comprises compressors and expanders designed for cars produced by Ford and DaimlerChrysler. The deliveries starts in August and have a duration of one year.

Opcon Autorotor was formed in 1990 and is based in Nacka, outside Stockholm. The company has supplied compressors to fuel cell projects in the auto sector since 1992 and is today a world leader in its field. From being a development company, Opcon Autorotor is now transforming itself into a manufacturing unit.

"We have prepared for increased production and we have invested in equipment for higher production capacity so that we can deliver similar products to other customers," explained Roland Arleback."We have been working together with Ballard since 1993 and we are very proud to be supplying key components to the world's leading manufacturer of fuel cells."

Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Ballard is commercializing fuel cell engines for transportation applications and fuel cell systems for portable and stationary products. Ballard is also commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and other electric vehicles, power conversion products, and is a Tier 1 automotive supplier of friction materials for power train components. Ballard's proprietary technology is enabling automobile, bus, electrical equipment, portable power and stationary product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, EBARA, ALSTOM and FirstEnergy, to commercialize Ballard(R) fuel cells.

-->Die Charttechnik, Fundamentale Neuigkeiten, Elliott-Wellen?

Die Brennstoffzellentechnik habe ich vor 2 Jahren mal intensiver verfolgt. Die Meldungen damals waren etwa die gleichen wie heute, die Kurse natürlich einges höher.

Elliottmäßig kann ich keinen Aufwärts-Impuls erkennen.

Und fundamental halte ich zwar die Brennstoffzellentechnik für eine FAST reife Technik, um die dezentrale Energieversorgung aufzubauen - aber wer von den Big Players will denn das? Das wäre das Ende der Energiemonopolisten! Und die verfügen über gigantische Finanzreserven inklusive den direkten Drähten in die Regierungen und technischen Gremien hinein.

Was für eine Revolution erwartest du?

-->
Ich erinnere mich an die Gespräche zwischen Ballard-Power und BMW vor einigen
Jahren, als BLDP zwischen $ 120. oo und $ 130.00 notierten.

Die Broker-Gemeinde gab damals ein Strong-Buy mit Zielen weiss der Teufel
bei $ 200.00 und höher.

Heute, einige Jahre seither, erhält BLDP immer mehr finanz. Support, welcher
auch polit. unterstützt wird: Luftverschmutzung, Benzin-Verbrauch und
allg. Umeltfreundlichkeit (man tut etwas).

Diese Entwicklung gibt mir die Veranlassung diesen Wert genauer anzusehen
und sukzessive eine Position aufzubauen. Ich teile sämtliche Argumente die da
sind: vieles noch im Ungewissen, Konkurrenz-Produkte, Oel-Lobby, und im
Januar 2003 Insider-Verkäufe.

Anderseits suche ich Werte, und dazu zähle ich BLDP, welche sich in der gegen-
wärtigen Zeit allenfalls besser positionieren können und durchaus die sehr sehr
grosse Chance haben, von Broker-Firmen wieder auf die Kauf-Listen genommen zu
werden. Es gibt eine Anzahl Firmen welche die Aktie positiv im Auge behalten,
und wer weiss bereits gewisse Käufe tätigen, dazu gehören aus Umwelt-Fonds
-GEsellschaften.

Emerald.