Nov 16 2009
The Hemlock Semiconductor Group, launched the construction of its new facility at its construction site at Clarksville, Tennessee. Marking the occasion, the company gave its guests an overall view of the site that will be completed by 2012.
This project, with an investment of up to $1.2 billion, is planned to be completed within three years of commencement. The new facility will produce more polycrystalline silicon to meet the burgeoning demand from the solar industry. An architectural sketch of the site was also unveiled by the Governor of Tennessee and the President of Hemlock Semiconductor acknowledged the support provided by the state governance to his company and the solar industry. The new street leading to the facility was christened ‘Solar way’ during the occasion.
Hemlock Semiconductor Group selected this location as a result of the support provided by the state towards its initiatives, along with other factors such as low cost of energy and talented work force available at the location.
The facility will have the capacity to produce in excess of 10,000 metric tons of polysilicon and is equipped to expand production to 21,000 metric tons. This new facility is expected to create 500 plant jobs and 800 construction job opportunities. The construction of the facility will involve structural steel deployment of more than 20,000 tons and concrete of more than 150,000 cubic yards.
Full-time jobs will be available for both experienced and not experienced mechanical, chemical and electrical engineers. Jobs will also be available for chemical process operators with special training, and individuals skilled in different disciplines such as welding and pipe fitting, and for millwrights, machinists, electrical, instrumentation specialists, process information control system engineers, and power distribution/power pack specialists.
Rick Doornbos, President and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor remarked that it is not only the materials that help towards developing the foundation of this business, but also the employees of Hemlock Semiconductor. The company sees its employees as central to the achievement of its goal of becoming a leader the production of polysilicon.
The site preparations were initially managed by the State of Tennessee and the Montgomery County Industrial Development Board, and Hemlock Semiconductor formally took charge of site in the month of October 2009.