Hemlock Semiconductor Grows Polysilicon Operations ($1 billion expansion, Michigan)

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48367

Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, manufacturer of polycrystalline silicon, will invest up to $1 billion over the next four years to increase by 90 percent its total annual output of polycrystalline silicon at its Hemlock, Michigan, facility.

The expansion to produce 36,000 metric tons is expected to start coming online in 2010.

"Our customers in the solar and semiconductor industries have a critical need for more of our materials," said Rick Doornbos, president and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor. "This is the largest expansion in the history of this industry, and is indicative of our long-term commitment to meeting the needs of our customers."

The expansion of Hemlock Semiconductor, a joint venture of Dow Corning Corporation and two Japan-based firms, Shin Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, will add up to 17,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon suitable for both the solar and semiconductor markets.

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[jpak]

1. (Michigan) Governor (Jennifer Granholm) wants solar power incentives

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/POLITICS/705030372/1022

Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday called for incentives that would encourage Michigan residents to harness the power of the sun, shortly after praising a $1 billion expansion by Hemlock Semiconductor Corp., a major supplier of solar materials.

Hemlock officials joined Granholm in announcing an expansion of Hemlock's manufacturing plant on a 60-acre site -- a project that that could bring up to 500 jobs to Saginaw County.

The expansion will allow the company, which Dow-Corning holds a majority stake in, to nearly double its production of polycrystalline silicon by 2010.

There have been worldwide shortages of that material, which is a key component of photovoltaic cells -- used to produce solar power. Polycrystalline silicon is also used in computer chips and other electronics.

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