HighLine and the EIC Accelerator: Silver-Saving Solar Printing

HighLine Technology, a 2020 spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg, has developed print heads with many micro-nozzles that lay the thin silver contact lines on solar cells in one pass, instead of screen printing. Its EIC project said metallization is the second most expensive step in cell production, that the solar industry uses more than 10% of the world's silver, and that its technology would cut silver use by 25%, raise efficiency by 1% and increase throughput by 50%, according to CORDIS.

The European Innovation Council granted €2,500,000 towards a €3.58 million project from February 2023 to May 2025. The final report says HighLine's dispensing was integrated into an Applied Materials printing platform and prepared "for presentation to a joint beta customer", integrated into Mondragon Assembly stringer machines with "initial joint sales", and supported by a new production line for its precision parts. It also reports a setback when "several Western paste suppliers" exited the market. No solar cell manufacturer has been announced as a volume customer. HighLine exhibited at Intersolar Europe in June 2026.

Where HighLine Stands Now

HighLine's website sells print heads, automation and periphery solutions, and its Intersolar posts in June 2026 spoke of "high-precision dispensing and cutting-edge coating solutions". In October 2025 it received a German grant of €421,972 for "Druide", next-generation printing and drying technology, and it raised its share capital in March and June 2026, according to register publications shown by North Data. It also took part in two other EU projects through the consortium partners 3SUN Srl and centrotherm international AG.

The Technology: Nozzles Instead of Screens

The report claims print speeds of 800 mm/s against 400 mm/s for screen printing and 30% higher conductivity from more even lines. Midway through the project the plan was changed to also use the dispensers for applying conductive adhesives in module assembly, for cell types that cannot be soldered. The silver saving in the final report, 20%, is lower than the 25% in the project's original summary.

What the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows

The project promised to make dispensing an industrial alternative to screen printing. It reached integration on commercial platforms and a production line for components, with alpha tests done and a beta customer in preparation at the end. The step that would prove the case, a cell maker adopting it in production, is not documented. CORDIS still lists the project as signed.

1. Industrial integrationDeliveredApplied Materials, Mondragon.
2. Component production lineDeliveredPer final report.
3. Paste supply chainSetbackWestern suppliers exited.
4. Adoption by cell makersNot shownBeta customer pending.

The Money

HighLine's published accounts are balance sheets, which North Data shows only to paying users, so its revenue and losses are not public. The register lists public funding beyond the EIC grant, including EU project money of €870,630 through 3SUN and €790,147 through centrotherm, and €171,805 from the Baden-Württemberg state programme Invest BW. Whether the EIC Fund invested is not public.

What Cannot Be Checked

Why Europe Should Care

The project said metallization is the second most expensive step in making a solar cell. HighLine offers European process technology that its own report says saves silver and raises output. The funding is mostly public, and the proof of adoption is still missing.

The Verdict

HighLine Technology and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.