Major acquisition within bioenergy paves the way for continued international expansion - Opcon signs LOI to acquire Saxlund

Major acquisition within bioenergy paves the way for continued international
expansion - Opcon signs LOI to acquire Saxlund 

Opcon AB, the energy and environmental technology Group, has signed a binding
letter of intent to acquire 75 percent of Saxlund Holding AB, which is one of
Northern Europe's leading suppliers of equipment for bioenergy plants. The
Saxlund Group had sales of SEK 284 million in the 2007/2008 financial year and
reported a positive operating profit. 

The acquisition is being made to further strengthen Opcon's expanding Renewable
Energy business area with an internationally strong project organisation and a
well-established customer and supplier network, especially in Europe. The move
also reinforces Opcon's position within bioenergy and means that Opcon can offer
customers more comprehensive solutions.

Saxlund currently has a very strong position not least in the Nordic region,
where the company has done business for over 40 years. The Group operates with
subsidiaries on the fast-growing German and UK markets, which feature high
electricity prices, large environmental awareness and subsidies for renewable
energy production. The Group is also represented in other countries via 25
partners. In addition to activities within bioenergy, Saxlund supplies equipment
for sludge, slag, ash and waste handling.

 “We are currently creating a stronger, international organisation. This applies
especially for the expanding bioenergy and pellets markets where we can see
large synergies, not least with Opcon's subsidiary, Svensk Rökgasenergi (SRE),
which offers its services to the same or similar customers. With the acquisition
of Saxlund and the synergies this gives for production, sales and purchasing we
expect to continue the strong growth we have initiated within bioenergy, where
we have experienced some organisational difficulties meeting demand. Meanwhile
we gain a better platform for sales of more comprehensive solutions to the same
customers, where our systems for waste heat recovery, either for electricity
generation or for drying biomass, are unique for our markets,” says Rolf
Hasselström, President and CEO of Opcon AB.

“This also means that we are speeding up expansion into Europe for our products
and systems such as Opcon Powerbox for electricity generation from waste heat,
among others. For both Opcon and Saxlund this also means that we can offer a
broader product portfolio and quote for, and implement, larger projects. As the
business area's international presence increases in this decisive way it will
lead to new opportunities to improve efficiency and co-ordinate production and
sales,” says Rolf Hasselström.

Over the past six years Saxlund has had an average EBIT margin of 3 percent and
like other businesses it has been affected by the financial crisis and the
economic downturn, which has hit both sales and earnings negatively. The
forecast in the short term is a decrease in sales as well as earnings. Within a
year or so, however, the strong synergies Opcon sees in the combination of
activities makes the outlook for increased earnings as well as growth very good.
The purchase sum comprises newly issued shares in Opcon and a cash portion, the
value to be set on the day of closing. The transaction is conditional on among
other things Opcon's Annual General Meeting mandating the Board to issue shares
with deviation from existing preferential rights for shareholders.


For further information please contact:
Niklas Johansson, vice president, Investor Relations, tel. 08-466 45 00, 070-592
54 53


Opcon AB, Box 15085, SE-104 65 Stockholm
Tel. +46 (0)8 466 45 00, fax +46 (0)8 716 76 61
e-mail: info@opcon.se
www.opcon.se

About the Opcon Group 

Opcon is an energy and environmental technology Group that develops, produces
and markets systems and products for eco-friendly, efficient and
resource-effective use of energy.  

Opcon has operations in Sweden, China and Denmark. There are around 360
employees. The company´s shares are listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm. The Group
comprises three business areas: 

Renewable Energy focuses on generating electricity from surplus heat, bioenergy,
systems for handling natural gas, industrial cooling, heat recovery, drying of
biomass, cleaning of flue gases, air systems for fuel cells and measurement and
monitoring of processes. The business area comprises the following subsidiaries:

Svenska Rotor Maskiner (SRM), Opcon Energy Systems (OES), REF Technology, Svensk
Rökgasenergi (SRE), Värmlands Montage Teknik and the trademarks Opcon Autorotor
and Mitec Instrument. 

Engine Efficiency focuses on ignition systems for combustion engines including
ethanol, natural gas and biogas engines. The business area comprises the
following subsidiaries: SEM, Opcon Technology Suzhou and Laminova Production.  

Mobility Products focuses on technology for positioning, motion and regulation
for electrical vehicles and electrical wheelchairs. The business area comprises
the following subsidiaries: REAC and Balle.