Centrotherm SiTec opens polysilicon factory for China Guodian

(ADPnews) - Oct 4, 2010 - Centrotherm SiTec GmbH, a subsidiary of German solar energy firm Centrotherm Photovoltaics AG (ETR:CTN), has unwrapped a polysilicon production facility for state-run power company China Guodian Corporation.

The German firm said on Friday that the plant has an annual production capacity of 2,500 tonnes that could be ramped up further. It will be operated by Guodian's subsidiary Guodian Ningxia Solar Co, which was set up as a result of the group's diversification into renewables.

Centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which was responsible for the entire factory planning, has supplied the basic engineering, process know-how, as well as reactors and converters that are required for silicon manufacturing.

The quality of the polysilicon produced on First Silicon Out (FSO) exceeds standard sector expectations, Centrotherm noticed. Earlier this year, the company reported the largest FSO in its history at Taiwan PolySilicon Corp (TPSI), with an annual production capacity of 5,000 tonnes, and an upgrade option to 8,000 tonnes.

At present, global polysilicon production amounts to up to 110,000 tonnes per year. Centrotherm SiTec has a global market share of around 40%.

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