MEMC and Samsung Fine Chemicals to build polysilicon plant

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Rumours of a tie-up with Samsung have proved true, with the news that MEMC will establish a new joint-venture firm with Samsung Fine Chemicals to produce polysilicon for the PV industry. The agreement between SFC and MEMC's affiliate, MEMC Singapore, includes building a 10,000MT plant in Ulsan, Korea, close to an SFC chemical plant. Production ramp is targeted for 2013.

“This joint venture signals SFC's entry into the fast moving renewable energy market and establishes a new engine for long-term growth,” commented Hyun-min Hong, executive director of SFC's Strategic Planning Division.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

MEMC had recently said that it planned to expand its operations to meet demand for wafers.

Ken Hannah, president of MEMC Solar Materials, said, “This partnership supports MEMC's internal growth commitments, and gives us yet another tool to support our customers in the region with some of the best products and services in the industry.”

In a research note discussing the move by MEMC to partner with SFC on polysilicon production, Jeffries financial analyst Jesse Pichel estimated the total investment for the new plant would be approximately US$1 billion. MEMC’s equity contribution was estimated to be 25%, while 25% would be allocated to Samsung, and 50% would be bank debt to the JV, which would be placed on the JV balance sheet.

MEMC’s direct contribution would only be in the range of US$250 million. SFC’s interest in partnering on the project was said to make sense, as MEMC’s experience and proprietary low-cost technology would limit risks when ramping. 
 

Read Next

July 1, 2025
Spanish independent power producer (IPP) Zelestra has secured financing and reached financial close for its 220MW solar-plus-storage plant in Chile.
July 1, 2025
Independent power producer (IPP) Arevon Energy has closed a US$600 million credit facility to support its solar PV and energy storage portfolio in the US.
July 1, 2025
The UK government has released this week (30 June) its Solar Roadmap, which sets out practical measures to meet the country’s solar PV targets.
July 1, 2025
Solar developer ib vogt has sold a 110MW solar PV plant in Spain to international fund NextPower V ESG, which is operated by investment firm NextEnergy Capital (NEC).
July 1, 2025
French private equity firm Ardian Clean Energy Evergreen Fund (ACEEF) has bought 117 solar PV plants, worth 116MW of total capacity in several locations in Italy.
July 1, 2025
Swedish independent power producer (IPP) OX2 has begun operations at a 100MW solar PV plant in Poland, its first project as an IPP.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA