News
2009.5.27
Hemlock Semiconductor Group Brings New Polysilicon Capacity Online for
Solar and Semiconductor Industries
Hemlock, Mich. (U.S.A.)— 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.”
“This latest achievement is the result of outstanding planning and execution by
our team with a strong focus on safety from start to finish,” said Jim Cross,
site manager of Hemlock Semiconductor’s Michigan site.
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.
For more information, please contact Leslie Orozco at (989) 642-5201 ext.
2269, leslie.orozco@dowcorning.com
or
Jarrod Erpelding at (989) 496-1582, jarrod.erpelding@dowcorning.com