HANGZHOU FIRST, the world’s largest supplier of encapsulation materials, is another coatings proponent that benefited from this market shift. The company increased its shipments from 25 GW in 2022 to 32 GW in 2023, equivalent to 150 million m². HANGZHOU FIRST shipped nearly 70 million m² in H1 2024. The company anticipates an above 20% market share for itself. With a production capacity of close to 190 million m2 that was increased to 310 million m2, its main products include CPC, KPC, TPC, and PC variants, available in a range of configurations such as white, black, high reflectivity black (HR black), and transparent with grid patterns. At the TaiyangNews Solar Technology Conference India 2025, InYoung Suh, Director of Business Development at Hangzhou First, will deliver a presentation on encapsulant materials and solutions for advanced solar cells and modules.
For 2022, Cybrid’s shipments were quite close to those of Jolywood’s, with about 36 GW or roughly 180 million m2. However, by 2023, its shipments dropped sharply to 26 GW or about 130 million m2. During H1 2024, this former market leader shipped 90 million m2. Cybrid has a production capacity of close to 170 million m2. Crown has a backsheet capacity of 60 GW or 110 million m2, with fluorine-free products being its main focus, a segment it claims to be the leader of. It shipped 96 million m2 in 2023. Betterial, the rising star of encapsulation, also has a backsheet business wing. The company has a total capacity of 125 million m2 for backsheets.
Coveme, a pioneer in PET-based backsheets, has navigated a challenging market landscape characterized by price sensitivity and increased competition. According to COO Monica Manara, the oversupply of Chinese panels and a growing shift towards glass-glass module configurations have contributed to declining demand for traditional backsheet designs. In 2022, the company achieved a production and shipment capacity of approximately 10 GW, supported by its facilities in Italy and China. However, its shipments decreased to 6 GW in 2023, reflecting these market dynamics. Coveme continues to focus on innovative technology streams, including backsheets made with recycled PET (rPET)– a unique offering – and high-reflectivity black backsheets. The company also supplies standard black backsheets tailored for residential applications. Additionally, Coveme has developed specialized coatings that enhance polymer surfaces, making them scratch and abrasion-resistant. This technology is aimed at replacing traditional front glass with polymer-based front covers.
Endurans, despite its past manufacturing presence in China, has transformed into a US-based company. Its US plant now has a 3 GW capacity, with plans to ramp up by at least another 3 GW. Endurans is special in terms of its products and technology. With expertise rooted in polymer technology, the company utilizes coextrusion processes to produce its backsheets and encapsulants while formulating its own components. “Unlike traditional backsheet manufacturers that use pre-produced films, we focus on fully integrated solutions,” says Imco Goudswaard, Commercial Manager & Sustainability Lead at Endurans Solar.
India-based RenewSys is a leading supplier of both encapsulation and backsheets in the country. The company has a backsheet production capacity of 4 GW. Alishan, another Indian company, shipped 1.3 million m² in 2023 and nearly tripled its shipments to 3.8 million m² in 2024. The company has a production capacity of 3 GW. As for its products, the company mainly promotes 2 primary versions: KPC and CPC, differentiated by their coating placement on the airside and/or cell side. These variants are available for both white and transparent backsheets. In addition, the company also offers various customization options, such as polyethylene for the cell side or HPET for the air side. At the upcoming TaiyangNews Solar Technology Conference India 2025, Dr. Khushbu Patel, AGM of Business Development at Alishan Green Energy, will present on encapsulation solutions for emerging technologies and their current status in India. Registrations are open here.
As India aims to strengthen its solar PV manufacturing industry, the TaiyangNews Solar Technology Conference India 2025 will provide a platform for experts to discuss cutting-edge advancements. To be held on April 10-11, 2025, in New Delhi, the event will feature technologists, scientists, and engineers driving innovation in the sector.
The text is an excerpt from the latest TaiyangNews Market Survey on Backsheets & Encapsulation Materials 2024/25, which can be downloaded for free here.
