MEMC of US plans solar wafer plant

KUCHING: US-based MEMC Electronic Material Corp will invest RM710mil in a plant in Samajaya Free Industrial Zone here to produce solar wafers.

‘“The plant on 20ha is expected to start operation by next year to cater for the rapid growth and demand for solar cells globally,’’ Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister and Industrial Development Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said at the state assembly session yesterday.

It is understood that MEMC had awarded the contract to build the plant.

Chan said MEMC, which has nine manufacturing facilities in United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific, was a pioneer in the design and development of wafer technologies for over 50 years.

One of the plants is located in the Sungei Way Free Industrial Zone in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

He said the company held hundreds of worldwide patents on silicon products and processes, and had hundreds more pending.

“The investment of MEMC will kick-start the development of a new cluster of high value-adding and high-technology industry. It marks the beginning of another new technological leap for Sarawak.

“Solar industry has the potential to create great spin-off benefits for the economy via the production of high-value innovative products, and the creation of potential downstream industries in lighting, green buildings, home applications and solar heating.

“The solar project signifies efforts to reduce carbon footprint,’’ Dr Chan added.

MEMC will recruit some 600 people for the Kuching plant, according to Dr Chan.

Besides MEMC, Sarawak had attracted two other foreign direct investments this year – RM1.12bil from Taiwan Food Park Sdn Bhd and RM360mil from Asia Minerals Ltd.

Dr Chan said 48 manufacturing projects had either been approved by the state industrial coordination committee or supported by it for approval by the international trade and industry ministry in the first five months of this year.