The Crystal Growing Systems division (CGS GmbH) of PVA TePla AG has signed a joint venture agreement with the Technical University of Xian (TUX) to establish Xi'an HuaDe CGS GmbH, domiciled in Xi'an, China. TUX is one of China's biggest producers of silicon crystal-growing systems. The objects of the new company, in which CGS GmbH will hold a 51% interest, include the development, marketing, assembly, installation and servicing of crystal growing, high-temperature and plasma systems. The main focus of the activity in the next few years will be to produce and market crystal growing systems for solar silicon. CGS GmbH will provide know-how in solar crystal growing systems and will receive royalties on sales generated by the new company. The first order-to supply 20 crystal growing systems to a nearby Chinese manufacturer of solar power systems-is expected to be placed in the near future.