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Production has commenced at Silicon III, REC Silicon’s new polysilicon plant in Moses Lake, Washington. Progress had been delayed by necessary welding repairs at the site, which led to an unscheduled review of the plant’s first day of operations. The plant, which is based in fluidized bed technology (FBR), started production early last week.

Silicon III’s production plan will see the majority of the plant being ramped up during the second quarter of 2009, with some spillover into the third quarter. Polysilicon output levels for the plant are as they were prior to the plant repairs, with estimates for the full year ahead reaching 10,000 – 11,000 MT. 
 
"We are satisfied to have reached this important milestone and to see that production is ramping up as expected in its initial stage. However, this is a large and complex chemical plant which implements innovative new technologies, and we should therefore expect to see some interruptions during the ramp-up phase", says Erik Thorsen, President and CEO.