Hemlock
Semiconductor Group has begun operation of a new 8500-metric-ton
polysilicon production facility several months ahead of schedule. The
plant, located in Hemlock, MI, is the first phase of a planned $1
billion expansion at the site.
The company says the second
phase of this capacity expansion will start to become operational in
2010 and, together with the initial phase, will increase the total
annual capacity onsite to approximately 36,000 metric tons.
Excavation
has already begun on the site of Hemlock's new polysilicon
manufacturing facility in Clarksville, TN, according to the company.
Construction will soon begin on plant, which is scheduled to come
online in 2012.
Hemlock has announced investments totaling
more than $4 billion over the past five years, moves that will expand
the company's capacity by nearly 10 times while creating more than 1500
new jobs.
"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 Rick Doornbos, Hemlock's
president/CEO. "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."
"Despite the economic
recession, the long-term outlook for the solar market remains strong,"
he continued. "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."