Wacker Chemie AG has officially opened its new silicon-metal production plant at the Holla site in Norway. The new furnace is one of the largest in the world and increases the site's capacity by over 40%. The silicon produced in Holla now covers about one third of the demand at WACKER's German sites. The company invested around €100 million in the new plant, which is designed to be efficient and require little maintenance. The expansion of captive production enhances supply security and reduces dependence on price fluctuations and trade barriers. WACKER employs around 200 people in Holla.
“The silicon-metal capacity we’ve added at this production site is a key strategic step in our sourcing of raw materials,” said Rudolf Staudigl, President & CEO of Wacker Chemie AG, as he explained the reasons behind the investment decision. “Expansion of captive production makes us more independent of price fluctuations on raw-material markets and enhances our supply security, both during times of peak demand and whenever problems might arise in relation to mounting trade barriers worldwide,” he emphasized.
The Munich chemical company acquired the Holla site, close to the city of Trondheim, in 2010. It has been producing silicon metal there to meet its own needs ever since. Silicon metal is one of WACKER’s most important raw materials. It is needed for producing silicones and hyperpure polysilicon. WACKER employs around 200 people in Holla.