Sept. 7, 2004 – Konarka Technologies (Profile, News, Web) announced Tuesday it has acquired Siemens AG’s organic photovoltaic research activities. Lowell, Mass.-based Konarka said the acquisition of the German corporation’s intellectual property and scientific team working on photovoltaics will accelerate its effort to commercialize affordable and efficient plastic power cells. Konarka intends to launch its first product by year’s end.

Konarka said the acquisition, whose terms were not disclosed, also increases the company’s presence in Europe and creates a base in Germany. The Siemens team will remain there and is expected to grow, the company said.

Christoph Brabec, who led Siemens’ scientific team, becomes Konarka’s director of polymer photovoltaic research. Thomas Grandke, head of the materials and microsystems department at Siemens Corporate Technology, will join Konarka’s Scientific Advisory Council. Ardesta LLC, the parent company of Small Times Media, is a Konarka investor.