Hemlock Semiconductor Group Brings New Polysilicon Capacity Online for Solar and Semiconductor Industries
The Hemlock Semiconductor Group, which includes two Dow Corning joint ventures, has commenced operation of a new 8,500 metric tons polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) production facility at its Hemlock, Mich. location.
This new capacity, which has been brought online several months ahead of schedule, represents the completion of the first phase of the $1 billion expansion the Michigan site announced in May of 2007. The second phase of this capacity expansion will begin to come online in 2010 and, together with the first phase, will increase the total annual capacity to approximately 36,000 metric tons.
“The new capacity from our latest expansion is a critical milestone to ensure our customers’ confidence that they will have the silicon feedstock needed for the semiconductor and fast-growing solar energy industries,” said Hemlock Semiconductor Group President and CEO Rick Doornbos. “It takes a tremendous team effort to be able to deliver an expansion of this magnitude ahead of schedule, and we’re very proud of our team for making it happen.”
In the last five years, Hemlock Semiconductor has announced investments totaling more than $4 billion. These investments will expand Hemlock Semiconductor’s capacity by nearly 10 times while creating more than 1,500 new jobs. These jobs are in addition to the 1,000-1,800 construction contractors on site every day.
“Despite the economic recession, the long-term outlook for the solar market remains strong,” said Doornbos. “Our demonstrated capabilities to deliver recent capacity expansions on or ahead of schedule and our more than 40 years of technical and manufacturing experience puts Hemlock Semiconductor in a strong position to help our customers succeed in an industry that continues to show promise and growth.”
Later this year, Hemlock Semiconductor Group will also begin construction of a new polysilicon manufacturing facility in Clarksville, Tennessee, which is scheduled to be operational in 2012. Excavation has already begun at the site.
In solar applications, polycrystalline silicon is the cornerstone material used to produce solar cells that harvest renewable energy from light rays. In addition to serving the solar energy market, polysilicon is also used in the production of semiconductor devices used in computers, cell phones and other electronic applications.
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