WACKER Expands Silicon-Metal Capacity in Norway

Investment and Expansion

Wacker Chemie AG is expanding the capacity of its silicon-metal site in Holla, Norway. The Munich-based chemical group is constructing an additional plant with a world-scale annual capacity. The project involves capital expenditures of around €85 million, which also includes expanding local infrastructure. The completion of the plant is expected during the first half of 2019.

Strategic Importance

According to Wacker Chemie AG’s CEO, Rudolf Staudigl, expanding the silicon-metal capacity at Holla is a key strategic step in sourcing raw materials. Currently, Holla covers around a quarter of the company's silicon-metal requirements. The expansion is necessary to maintain this scale of coverage in the future. Producing silicon metal internally helps WACKER become more independent of price fluctuations in raw-material markets and boosts supply reliability during peak-demand periods.

Silicon Metal Usage

Silicon metal is one of WACKER’s most important raw materials. It is essential for producing silicones and hyperpure polysilicon, which are critical components in various industrial applications.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by WACKER’s Executive Board. While the company believes these expectations are realistic, there are no guarantees they will prove correct. Risks and uncertainties, such as changes in the economic environment, exchange and interest rate fluctuations, competing products, and changes in corporate strategy, may cause actual results to differ significantly from these statements. WACKER does not plan to update these forward-looking statements and assumes no obligation to do so.