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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.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A media teleconference will be held on Thursday, May
28 from 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time Zone) for media with follow up/clarification
questions regarding this news. Please email Connie.Keyser@dowcorning.com for
teleconference access numbers if you wish to attend. No analysts
please.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning provides performance-enhancing solutions to
serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global
leader in silicones,
silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000
products and services via the company’s Dow Corning® and XIAMETER®
brands. Dow Corning is a joint venture equally owned by The Dow Chemical
Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales
are outside the United States.
About Hemlock Semiconductor Group
The Hemlock
Semiconductor Group is comprised of two joint ventures: Hemlock
Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C. The companies are
joint ventures of Dow Corning Corporation, Shin-Etsu Handotai and Mitsubishi
Materials Corporation. Hemlock Semiconductor is a leading provider of
polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the
manufacturing of semiconductor devices and solar cells and modules. Hemlock
Semiconductor began its Michigan operations in 1961 and broke ground at its
Tennessee location in 2009.
For further information, please direct inquiries to one of our
media
representatives.
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