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Dow Corning announces expansion of world’s largest producer of
polycrystalline silicon
Hemlock, Mich. — Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, the world’s
leading producer of polycrystalline silicon, will begin construction of a
$400-$500 million expansion at its Hemlock, Mich. headquarters in
December. The expansion is driven by increasing demand for
polycrystalline silicon, the cornerstone material used in the production of
solar cells used to manufacture renewable energy from light rays and
semiconductor device manufacturing.
The Hemlock Semiconductor expansion will increase site capacity by 50
percent, and is expected to generate more than 100-150 full-time direct jobs,
and an equal number of contractor positions in the next three
years. Additionally, there will be 400 temporary local contractor
jobs created during construction of the expansion. Phase one of the
two-phase expansion project is expected to be completed in January 2008, with a
potential second phase concluding a year later.
"It’s exciting to announce this expansion on a number of levels,” said
Donald E. Pfuehler, president and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor. “Not only
will we expand our ability to provide high quality products to solar and
semiconductor industry customers, we’ll also be creating a significant number
of jobs and improve the economic activity in this region.”
“This expansion will continue to
strengthen Hemlock Semiconductor’s presence in Michigan,” Michigan
Governor Jennifer Granholm said, praising the company’s leaders. “The company's
decision to grow here is a testament to the state’s leadership in
competitive-edge technologies and will create jobs in the high-tech field of
alternative energy investment and research.”
Hemlock Semiconductor expects the solar energy industry to grow at a 20-25
percent pace over the next 10 years. Today, solar energy accounts for
approximately 10 percent of all renewable energy produced
“Innovation in the solar energy industry is providing excellent
opportunities for businesses, people, and the environment,” said Marie N.
Eckstein, Dow Corning’s general manager of Advanced Technologies and
Ventures. “Both Hemlock Semiconductor and Dow Corning will continue to
research and develop opportunities to enhance solar technology.”
Upon completion of the expansion, Hemlock Semiconductor will have
approximately 500 direct employees and approximately 600 contractor
positions. Pfuehler also said that while Hemlock, Michigan was the
preferred location for this expansion several issues needed to be addressed to
insure the Hemlock site remained globally competitive. “We received
excellent support from Governor Granholm’s office, Michigan Economic
Development Corporation, Thomas Township, City of Saginaw, Saginaw Future,
Inc., Department of Environmental Quality and Consumers Energy. We
appreciate the support of these groups which enabled our expansion to remain at
this site.”
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation is a joint venture of Dow Corning
Corporation and two Japanese firms, Shin-Etsu Handotai Company, Ltd. and
Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. In addition to serving the solar
energy market, the company also provides materials used in the production of
semiconductor devices used in computers, cell phones and other electronic
applications.
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation (www.hscpoly.com) is the world’s leading
provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in
the manufacturing of semiconductors devices and passive solar cells and
modules. Headquartered in Hemlock, Mich., Hemlock Semiconductor is owned
in majority and managed by Dow Corning Corporation.
Dow CorningCorporation (www.dowcorning.com) provides
performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000
customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and
innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is
equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More
than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the United States.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Interviews with Hemlock Semiconductor
and Dow Corning personnel available upon request. Pictures of Hemlock
facility, Donald Pfuehler, and polycrystalline silicon available by contacting
Jarrod Erpelding of Dow Corning.
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