- Investment costs for the new plant are in the low double-digit million euros range.
- The facility was commissioned in mid-July.
- Hydrogen chloride is used for etching and cleaning in the semiconductor industry.
- WACKER's hydrogen chloride purity is 99.9995 percent.
Expansion of HCl Production
Wacker Chemie AG has expanded its production of hyperpure hydrogen chloride at its Burghausen site in Germany. The facility, commissioned in mid-July, significantly increased overall production capacity. The investment for the new plant is in the low double-digit million euros range.
Applications in the Semiconductor Industry
Hydrogen chloride is crucial for the semiconductor industry, used as an etching and cleaning agent for hyperpure silicon wafers and plant components. The gas must be extremely pure to prevent contamination. WACKER's hydrogen chloride achieves a purity of 99.9995 percent, surpassing the industry benchmark of 99.9979 percent.
Market Demand and Supply
Due to cost and quality issues, many competitors have ceased hydrogen chloride production, making ultrapure HCl scarce. WACKER is one of the few companies in Europe capable of delivering the required quality and quantities. The company’s investment aims to meet the growing demand for semiconductor components and processing aids.
Raw Material Source
WACKER manufactures hydrogen chloride using rock salt from its own mine in Stetten, Germany. The composition and purity of this salt are particularly suitable for HCl production.
Additional Products
Besides hydrogen chloride, WACKER produces other specialty chemicals for the semiconductor industry, including precursors for coating hyperpure silicon wafers and pyrogenic silica for CMP slurries. Key buyers are international gas suppliers who provide these processing aids to semiconductor companies.
