Recently, American polysilicon manufacturer Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation acquired DuPont’s trichlorosilicon (TCS) business. The transaction mainly involves DuPont's Trichlorosilicon manufacturing plant in Midland, Michigan, which is located in Saginaw City, 20 miles north of the Hemlock Semiconductor Park.
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation said that by achieving vertical integration in polysilicon production, the new plant will help better control supply and reduce costs. Purified trichlorosilane (TCS) is the key material for preparing polysilicon.
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation CEO Mark Bassett said: "This acquisition will further consolidate our dominant position in the semiconductor industry. It will help accelerate our development in the solar field because we will be able to provide high-quality ultra Pure polysilicon reduces the carbon footprint in the production process of photovoltaic modules at a lower cost."
DuPont said that the transaction has been approved by the regulatory authorities. DuPont said in a press release: "At the time of the transaction, DuPont received a pre-tax cash benefit of US$550 million and expects to settle its existing supply agreement with Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation within the next 36 months. Disputes, will also receive 175 million US dollars in pre-tax cash."
The transaction includes the acquisition of 40.25% of Dupont by Corning Inc., the major shareholder of Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation. After the acquisition, Corning holds 80.5% of Hemlock Semiconductor and the remaining 19.5% of shares. It is still held by Shin-Etsu, a Japanese chemical company.