NEXT Biometrics Invests $4 million in Coating & Laser Cutting Tools for 2017 Mass Production of Fingerprint Sensors

OSLO, NORWAY--(Marketwired - Sep 5, 2016) - NEXT Biometrics Group ASA (Oslo Bors: NEXT) announced it invested $4 million in a high capacity coating machine for rigid and flexible fingerprint sensors and a new high precision laser cutter for volume manufacturing of flexible fingerprint sensors tools, both to be operational in the first half of 2017, for mass production of sensors.

NEXT said the main part of the investment is related to a high capacity coating machine to significantly increase total sensor coating capacity and also reduce dependency on the current single source coater installed at INNOLUX. 

Tore Etholm-Idsoe, CEO, said, "The new coater, which will allow color variations and will be used to coat both rigid and flexible fingerprint sensors, is expected to be in operation during the second quarter of 2017. In addition, this month a smaller capacity coating tool from the same supplier will be operational in Taiwan."

The CEO added that, "The investment in a high precision laser cutter, expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2017, is dedicated for volume manufacturing of flexible fingerprint sensors and is a part of the joint investments agreed upon between NEXT and partner INNOLUX, the $10 billion Taiwanese display manufacturer." 

On July 21, 2016, NEXT and Innolux, one of the world's largest manufacturers of TFT-LCD-panels, had jointly announced they are investing in establishing mass production capacity for NEXT flexible fingerprint sensor technology. Innolux and NEXT have worked together for many years and NEXT is manufacturing volumes of rigid fingerprint sensors at Innolux plants in Taiwan. With NEXT's recent introduction of the world´s first flexible fingerprint sensor, the companies agreed to do joint investments for mass production of the new fingerprint sensors.

ABOUT NEXT:
Enabled by the Active Thermal Principle, NEXT Biometrics (www.NextBiometrics.com), offers rigid and flexible, high performance, low cost fingerprint sensors. The Company is uniquely positioned in markets demanding high performance for close to 100% its targeted populations. The company competitive advantages of are maximized in a range of product formats including SmartCards, Key-fobs, Remote Controls, Door systems and high end Notebook and Tablets.

NEXT Biometrics Group ASA is a publicly listed company headquartered in Oslo, Norway and with sales, support and development subsidiaries in Seattle, Silicon Valley, Taipei, Prague and Shanghai. Media and Investor contacts for NEXT Biometrics: Tore Etholm-Idsøe, CEO, Tore.idsoe@nextbiometrics.com and Knut Stalen, CFO, Knut.stalen@nextbiometrics.com.