Corning - indirekt zu 25% an Hemlock beteiligt (Seite 12)

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Corning erwägt LCD-Glasfabrik in China

Corning, amerikanischer Weltmarktführer für LCD-Glassubstrate, erwägt, in China einen Schmelzofen zu errichten, sobald Taiwan das Investitionsverbot für die einheimische Panel-Industrie aufhebt. Das sagte laut "Digitimes" Alan Eusden, Präsident von Corning Display Technologies Taiwan Anfang 2010.

Einen Schmelzofen zu errichten, gehe laut Eusden schneller als der Bau einer LCD-Panel-Fabrik.

Was mögliche neue Glasengpässe angeht, werde Corning alles daran setzen, die Nachfrage zu befriedigen, so Eusden.

Der Hersteller rechnet für 2010 mit einem weltweiten Glassubstrat-Bedarf von 2,7 bis 2,8 Milliarden Quadratmeter. 2009 waren es 2,4 Milliarden Quadratmeter. Das entsprach der Gesamtfläche von 290.090 bis 375.000 Fußballfeldern mit 6.400 bis 8.250 qm.

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http://www.pv-tech.org/news/_a/hemlock_reveals_scale_of_new_…


Hemlock reveals scale of new polysilicon plant
13 November 2009 | By Mark Osborne | News > Fab and Facilities


With the start of actual construction of Hemlock Semiconductor’s new polysilicon plant, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, USA, the largest polysilicon producer in the world has revealed both the initial production capacity of the plant as well as its future capacity capability. Initial cost of the plant was said to be US$1.2 billion and will employ approximately 500 workers when ramped. Hemlock has announced investments totalling more than US$4 billion for expanding polysilicon production over the last few years in a drive that is expected to keep the company in its leadership position.

Hemlock had announced plans for the Clarksville plant earlier this year, yet had not disclosed the planned capacity targets. Perhaps this was due to the rapidly declining spot market (though Hemlock sells under long-term contracts) as significant capacity from both traditional polysilicon producers and a wave of new entrants brought capacity online.

However, the new plant will have an initial capacity of ‘greater’ than 10,000MT and the potential to be expanded to 21,000MT. The project is expected to take at least 2 years to build before coming on stream sometime in 2012.

Already this year, Hemlock has begun to ramp another new plant extension (8,500MT) at its major production site in Hemlock, MI, taking capacity to approximately 19,000MT in 2009, up from over 12,000MT in 2008, according to PV-Tech’s own data. By the end of 2011, Hemlock would have expanded capacity to over 25,000MT from existing ramp plans.

The new site in Clarksville will take capacity to 46,000MT in 2013 and after the second phase expansion to 57,000MT in the future. This figure does not include any further expansions at existing plants that may be possible and brought online before the next expansion phase in Clarksville.

According to the latest figures from Photon Consulting (Solar Annual 2009), total global polysilicon supply is expected to reach 95,000MT in 2009 and grow rapidly through 2012, reaching 427,000MT before declining due to PV installation saturation in the key market of Germany and significant overcapacity, forcing significant price erosion across the supply chain.

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Dow Corning to build PV monosilane gas manufacturing plant in Michigan
14 September 2009 | By Tom Cheyney | News > Fab and Facilities


Dow Corning has started construction of a high-purity monosilane gas manufacturing plant in Thomas Township, MI. The factory, located adjacent to Hemlock Semiconductor's polysilicon production facility, is expected to be completed in 2011.

Monosilane is a key specialty material used in the production of certain thin-film photovoltaic devices as well as liquid crystal displays. The company says the new facility represents an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars and will initially employ about 30 workers.

"This significant investment to become a leading supplier of monosilane for thin-film solar technology will expand our feedstock offering and will further reinforce Dow Corning's position as a material supplier across multiple solar technologies," said Eric Peeters, global executive director, Dow Corning Solar Solutions.

Dow Corning also unveiled an installation of 136 PV panels at the Solar Discovery Center at its corporate headquarters in Midland, MI.

In addition to providing 30KW-hours of clean energy to the electrical grid, the installation serves as a testing ground for the company's silicone encapsulation solution. Half of the solar panels in the installation are encapsulated with its advanced silicone encapsulation solution to compare and test in real-life conditions, with the other half encapsulated using standard technology.

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27.07.2009 13:10
Corning Announces Second-Quarter Results

Company experiences substantial LCD volume growth

Q3 glass demand expected to remain strong

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today announced its results for the second quarter of 2009, as well as its expectations for the third quarter.

Second-Quarter Highlights

* Sales were $1.4 billion, up 41% sequentially.
* Earnings per share were $0.39. Excluding special items, EPS was $0.39,* an increase of 290% sequentially.
* Display Technologies combined glass volume, including Corning’s wholly owned business and Samsung Corning Precision Glass Co., Ltd. (SCP), increased 66% sequentially. Volume in the company’s wholly owned business improved by 101% sequentially, while SCP’s volume increased by 50%.
* Gross margin was 41%, an increase over first-quarter gross margin of 27%.
* Equity earnings increased 85% over the previous quarter.

Quarter Two Financial Comparisons
Q2 2009 Q1 2009 % Change Q2 2008 % Change
Net Sales in millions $1,395 $989 41% $1,692 (18%)
Net Income in millions $611 $14 4264% $3,211 (81%)
Non-GAAP Net Income

in millions*
$614 $150 309% $782 (21%)
GAAP EPS $0.39 $0.01 3800% $2.01 (81%)
Non-GAAP EPS* $0.39 $0.10 290% $0.49 (20%)

*These are non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP measures is provided in the tables following this news release, as well as on the company’s investor relations Web site.

”Global LCD television retail sales continue to be resilient during these challenging economic times,” said Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer. ”This gave confidence to the LCD supply chain to rebuild inventory during the second quarter.”

Weeks noted that Corning initially met the increased second-quarter demand by working off its inventory supply, ”but as demand continued to rise, we restarted some idled glass melting capacity to help meet the industry’s increased appetite. We saw glass volume increase by 101% at our wholly owned business and by 50% at Samsung Corning Precision quarter-over-quarter,” he said. ”Additionally, we saw growth in our other businesses and improvement in equity earnings from Dow Corning Corporation in the second quarter.”

Second-Quarter Segment Results

Sales in the Display Technologies segment were $673 million, an 89% increase sequentially. As expected, price declines in the second quarter were modest. Display sales were negatively impacted by foreign exchange rate movements this quarter.

Telecommunications segment sales were $437 million, an increase of 14% over the previous quarter. Corning again experienced strong demand for optical fiber and cable in China. In North America, the company saw increased demand for its fiber-to-the-home products.

Environmental Technologies segment sales were $132 million, an increase of 20%, driven primarily by improved automotive product sales in Germany, China, and the U.S. The company said that U.S. automotive product demand was likely driven by a necessary replenishment of the supply chain during the quarter, rather than an increase in auto production. Government incentive programs contributed to the sales increases in Germany and China in the second quarter.

Specialty Materials segment sales were $71 million, up $11 million over the first quarter, due primarily to continued adoption of Gorilla™ glass by notebook and portable electronic device makers.

Corning’s equity earnings were $361 million, a considerable increase over first-quarter equity earnings of $195 million. Equity earnings from Dow Corning Corporation were $58 million versus $5 million in the first quarter, which included $29 million for Corning’s share of a restructuring charge at Dow Corning. Equity earnings from Samsung Corning Precision were $294 million in the second quarter, compared to $187 million in the first quarter. Volume increased 50% over the previous quarter and sequential glass price declines were minor.

Looking Forward

”The resurgent demand for LCD glass is propelling us to restore much of our previously idled production capacity as quickly as possible to meet our customers’ needs,” said James B. Flaws, vice chairman and chief financial officer. ”Approximately 40% of our second-quarter shipments came from existing inventory. We need to- and have- restarted tanks to replace this inventory drawdown to meet third-quarter demand. We believe our third-quarter glass shipments will be flat to up slightly, compared to the very strong second-quarter level.” Flaws reiterated that Corning expects third-quarter glass substrate prices to be even with those of the second quarter.

Flaws said that supply chain inventories at the end of the second quarter have been rebuilt to levels similar to the end of 2008, as the industry prepares for a seasonally stronger second half of the year. ”We estimate that current inventory supplies are 16% less than the second quarter last year, compared to retail demand that has been running approximately 15% ahead of a year ago. Retail demand is forecasted to continue growing at double-digit rates in the back half of this year. This comparison gives us some comfort about the outlook for the remainder of the year. However, the pace of economic recovery remains uncertain and we are being cautious about the amount of capacity we are restarting for the fourth quarter and for early 2010. As we receive more clarity from our customers on their fourth-quarter outlook, we will make decisions on our fourth-quarter capacity levels.”

”We have increased our forecast for LCD glass market volume in 2009 due to the vitality of LCD TV sales in the first half of the year. We now estimate that total yearly volume will be around 2.3 billion square feet, or about 15% growth over last year,” he said. Corning originally expected annual glass volume to be 2 billion square feet and early last quarter revised it upward to a range of 2.1 billion to 2.2 billion square feet.

The company expects to see continued improvement in equity earnings from Dow Corning, noting that silicone orders have been improving month by month, and volumes at Hemlock Semiconductor, Dow Corning’s consolidated subsidiary corporation, should remain strong.

”As we enter the second half of the year, we are seeing signs that the impact of the global recession on our businesses may be moderating. That said, questions pertaining to the pace of economic recovery remain. While we do not currently believe another corporate-wide downsizing will be necessary, we are looking at specific business unit restructuring needs,” Flaws said. ”We don’t expect the global auto industry and U.S. truck market to rebound quickly. As a result, we are evaluating further cost reductions in our Environmental Technologies segment later this quarter, which may result in restructuring charges in the back half of the year.”

”We are also working to align the level of the company’s research, development, and engineering spending with our future revenue estimates in what may be a relatively slow economic recovery. As a result, restructuring charges in this area are also possible in the fourth quarter,” Flaws noted.

Flaws added that the company expects its 2009 tax rate to be between zero and 3%. ”Looking ahead to 2010, we feel that our tax rate could be around 10%. However, given unknowns in the rate of economic recovery and uncertainty regarding potential changes to the U.S. tax code, our 2010 rate could be significantly different,” he said.

The company said 2009 capital expenditures are forecasted to be approximately $1.1 billion. In 2010, capital expenditures are expected to be around $600 million.

Flaws concluded, ”LCD TVs have become the product of choice for consumers and the speed at which they are replacing CRT models is accelerating. This technology substitution is expected to fuel the LCD glass market for several years to come. Telecommunications carriers worldwide continue to invest in broadband network expansions, and we are seeing rapid acceptance of our Gorilla™ glass as a cover glass for many handheld and computer applications. These are promising signs that our businesses are poised for future growth.”

Second-Quarter Conference Call Information

The company will host a second-quarter conference call on Monday, July 27 at 8:30 a.m. ET. To access the call, dial [phone] or international access call [phone] approximately 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The password is ‘QUARTER TWO’. The host is ‘SOFIO’. To listen to a live audio webcast of the call, go to Corning’s Web site at www.corning.com/investor_relations and click Investor Events on the left. A replay will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET and will run through 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday, Aug. 10, 2009. To listen, dial [phone] or international access call [phone]. The access code is 106323. The webcast will be archived for one year following the call.

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ntersolar North America postscripts: Will there be enough polysilicon in 2012?
19 July 2009 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots

As the solar PV industry rushes headlong into the gigawatt era, the hunger for large quantities of polysilicon will need to be sated to keep the engine humming—even with thin-film PV taking a bigger bite of market share. Although the supply shortage has abated, few observers seem to have a firm grip on just how much poly will be in the pipeline and how much will be needed to meet the cell and module demand in the coming years. A presentation at the just-concluded Intersolar North America show in San Francisco brought some clarity to the poly supply discussion.

Hemlock Semiconductor VP Gary Homan reviewed how his employer has been adding capacity at a fast clip and will continue to do so for the next five years. With $4 billion in announced expansions, the poly-pack-leading firm projects reaching manufacturing capacities of 36,000 metric tons in 2010 and 63,000 metric tons by 2014 at its plants in Michigan and Tennessee—up from its current capacity of just under 30,000MT.

In terms of what’s been announced within the poly sector, that 63,000MT would place Hemlock far ahead of the number two company in the space, Wacker, which has about 35,000MT projected capacity on the board.

But unlike some other presentations that day, Homan’s talk was not just an infomercial. He provided some analyses and observations of the overall market that bear repeating.

Acknowledging the easing of the silicon shortage and an overall improvement in the sector, he wondered about how the effect of price erosion will drive demand and how future costs may affect the expansion plans of some poly manufacturers. He believes that all of the extra capacity coming online—essentially a 100% pop over the past year, enough to support 10GW of solar production—is contributing to driving silicon costs closer to grid parity levels.

Homan made no secret of his skepticism about some of the announcements made by upstart poly players, especially certain Chinese firms who he discounted as being little more than “smoke and mirrors.” He questioned many of the new entrants’ “sustainability,” wondering about their ability to attract more venture or public financing, and whether they have what it takes to reduce their costs to meet the challenging criteria of the grid parity model (which some established poly companies have already done).

hemlock_semi_rodsNoting how efficiency in the poly world consists of a combination of quality and consistency, he said that “cost of ownership demands high efficiency per gram of silicon,” and that “lower-priced virgin poly will offer the best cost of ownership” based on a lower price coming from a lower cost structure. “Hyperpurity levels equal a higher photon efficiency,” Homan noted, and consistent, predicable quality results in higher yields.

He used two data sets for his global polysilicon forecasts, both based on a combination of public information and Hemlock’s own number crunching. One set incorporated all the announcements made in the space from both established and new players. The other, adjusted for grid parity costs, provided a more conservative outlook for the sector. (See chart below)

The all-in version forecasts about a 4.4x increase in the market between 2008 and 2014, from 61,000 to 269,000MT. The more measured projection shows the growth in the 3.3x range, from 64,000 to 209,000MT. The gap between the two data sets’ forecasts increases year after year, growing from a difference of 8,000MT for 2009 to a 25,000MT discrepancy in 2010and reaches 60,000MT in 2014 between the all-in and grid parity-adjusted versions.

If the cell and module demand for poly grows at about 33% per year, what Homan called a moderate pace, his grid parity-adjusted forecast shows the silicon sector able to meet demand up to at least 2014. Just the announced planned capacity of the established poly players alone would be sufficient to meet demand, according to the Hemlock exec.

But if growth takes off at a per-annum rate closer to 50%, another poly shortage could occur by 2012-2013, as Homan's more conservative data showed. The combination of the capacity to be added by both the veteran companies and the newbies would be insufficient to meet the growth potential of an end-market possibly needing enough silicon to build at least 26-28GWp of crystalline-based modules, according to Homan’s analyses.

Although he made no direct mention of the impact of silicon-reducing technological improvements such as the development and deployment of more efficient poly reactors and ultrathin, kerf-free wafering techniques, his poly-per-module data trended toward slightly better usage over the five-year span.

The more growth-aggressive of Homan’s scenarios suggests that silicon—and the availability or scarcity thereof—could again emerge as a game-changer in a few years. But if poly producers young and old successfully maintain a high quality level and drive their costs down to less than 10% of the total bill of module materials, the type of poly spot-price inflation seen in the mid-2000s may not rear its head again, and the sandy stuff will play its part on the crystalline side of the grid-parity achievement game.

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Dow Corning Pushes To Make America 21st Century Solar Power

Dow Corning's silicon-based materials are used in solar cell manufacturing, solar module assembly and installation. In the past five years, Dow Corning and its joint ventures at the Hemlock Semiconductor Group have announced investments of more than $5 billion to research and develop as well as to expand production of materials critical to the solar industry.
by Staff Writers
Washington DC (SPX) Jun 26, 2009
Representatives of Dow Corning and representatives of America's top solar energy companies visited Washington D.C. to call for new federal policies to encourage the growth of a domestic solar energy industry that will promote economic growth, create jobs, and help meet greenhouse gas emissions goals.

"Solar energy is a clean, efficient and readily available technology that with the right support could help transform America's energy, environmental and economic future. To make America a 21st century solar power, we need smart and effective government policies from Congress that will help the private sector grow, thrive and create thousands of new jobs," said Dow Corning Chairman, President and CEO Stephanie A. Burns.

During the visit, Dow Corning and representatives from several of its leading solar technology customers met with key members of Congress and the Administration. They delivered to policy makers a Four Point Policy Plan that outlines the steps needed to encourage the adoption of solar energy technologies and support a new renewable energy manufacturing sector in America. The plan calls on Congress and the Obama Administration to:

+ Enact a broad federal legislative and regulatory package, designed to encourage the rapid growth of a viable renewable energy industry and encourage consumer adoption.

+ Increase investments in research and development to support innovation in solar energy technologies.

+ Increase renewable energy-related education, training and job creation.

+ Establish the federal government as a leader in the utilization of clean energy technologies.

Dow Corning was joined by nine of its customers representing the solar energy value chain: Abengoa Solar, BP Solar, Kyocera, National Semiconductor Corporation, Sanyo, SCHOTT Solar, Solar Power Industries, SolarWorld, Suniva, Inc.

Dow Corning's silicon-based materials are used in solar cell manufacturing, solar module assembly and installation. In the past five years, Dow Corning and its joint ventures at the Hemlock Semiconductor Group have announced investments of more than $5 billion to research and develop as well as to expand production of materials critical to the solar industry.

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Hemlock Brings New Polysilicon Capacity Online

Hemlock MI (SPX) May 29, 2009
The Hemlock Semiconductor Group, which includes two Dow Corning joint ventures, has commenced operation of a new 8,500 metric tons polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) production facility at its Hemlock, Mich. location.

This new capacity, which has been brought online several months ahead of schedule, represents the completion of the first phase of the $1 billion expansion the Michigan site announced in May of 2007.

The second phase of this capacity expansion will begin to come online in 2010 and, together with the first phase, will increase the total annual capacity to approximately 36,000 metric tons.

"The new capacity from our latest expansion is a critical milestone to ensure our customers' confidence that they will have the silicon feedstock needed for the semiconductor and fast-growing solar energy industries," said Hemlock Semiconductor Group President and CEO Rick Doornbos.

"It takes a tremendous team effort to be able to deliver an expansion of this magnitude ahead of schedule, and we're very proud of our team for making it happen."

In the last five years, Hemlock Semiconductor has announced investments totaling more than $4 billion. These investments will expand Hemlock Semiconductor's capacity by nearly 10 times while creating more than 1,500 new jobs. These jobs are in addition to the 1,000-1,800 construction contractors on site every day.

"Despite the economic recession, the long-term outlook for the solar market remains strong," said Doornbos.

"Our demonstrated capabilities to deliver recent capacity expansions on or ahead of schedule and our more than 40 years of technical and manufacturing experience puts Hemlock Semiconductor in a strong position to help our customers succeed in an industry that continues to show promise and growth."

"This latest achievement is the result of outstanding planning and execution by our team with a strong focus on safety from start to finish," said Jim Cross, site manager of Hemlock Semiconductor's Michigan site.

Later this year, Hemlock Semiconductor Group will also begin construction of a new polysilicon manufacturing facility in Clarksville, Tennessee, which is scheduled to be operational in 2012. Excavation has already begun at the site.

In solar applications, polycrystalline silicon is the cornerstone material used to produce solar cells that harvest renewable energy from light rays. In addition to serving the solar energy market, polysilicon is also used in the production of semiconductor devices used in computers, cell phones and other electronic applications.

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Hemlock Semi ramps new poly-Si capacity
PR Newswire (27. Mai 2009)

HEMLOCK, Mich., May 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The Hemlock Semiconductor Group, which includes two Dow Corning joint ventures, has commenced operation of a new 8,500 metric tons polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) production facility at its Hemlock, Mich. location.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090527/DE22631 )

This new capacity, which has been brought online several months ahead of schedule, represents the completion of the first phase of the $1 billion expansion the Michigan site announced in May of 2007. The second phase of this capacity expansion will begin to come online in 2010 and, together with the first phase, will increase the total annual capacity to approximately 36,000 metric tons.

"The new capacity from our latest expansion is a critical milestone to ensure our customers' confidence that they will have the silicon feedstock needed for the semiconductor and fast-growing solar energy industries," said Hemlock Semiconductor Group President and CEO Rick Doornbos. "It takes a tremendous team effort to be able to deliver an expansion of this magnitude ahead of schedule, and we're very proud of our team for making it happen."

In the last five years, Hemlock Semiconductor has announced investments totaling more than $4 billion. These investments will expand Hemlock Semiconductor's capacity by nearly 10 times while creating more than 1,500 new jobs. These jobs are in addition to the 1,000-1,800 construction contractors on site every day.

"Despite the economic recession, the long-term outlook for the solar market remains strong," said Doornbos. "Our demonstrated capabilities to deliver recent capacity expansions on or ahead of schedule and our more than 40 years of technical and manufacturing experience puts Hemlock Semiconductor in a strong position to help our customers succeed in an industry that continues to show promise and growth."

"This latest achievement is the result of outstanding planning and execution by our team with a strong focus on safety from start to finish," said Jim Cross, site manager of Hemlock Semiconductor's Michigan site.

Later this year, Hemlock Semiconductor Group will also begin construction of a new polysilicon manufacturing facility in Clarksville, Tennessee, which is scheduled to be operational in 2012. Excavation has already begun at the site.

In solar applications, polycrystalline silicon is the cornerstone material used to produce solar cells that harvest renewable energy from light rays. In addition to serving the solar energy market, polysilicon is also used in the production of semiconductor devices used in computers, cell phones and other electronic applications.

Dow Corning Corporation (www.dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Corning, Incorporated (NYSE: GLW). More than half of Dow Corning's annual sales are outside the United States.

The Hemlock Semiconductor Group (www.hscpoly.com) is comprised of two joint ventures: Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C. The companies are joint ventures of Dow Corning Corporation, Shin-Etsu Handotai and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. Hemlock Semiconductor is a leading provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices and solar cells and modules. Hemlock Semiconductor began its Michigan operations in 1961 and broke ground at its Tennessee location in 2009.

SOURCE Dow Corning Corporation

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Dow Corning to invest $40M in silicon equipment

Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 06 March 2009 at 10:33


US-based silicone manufacturer Dow Corning plans to invest $30-40 million to build two metallurgical-grade silicon manufacturing equipment systems in Sichuan province, reports In-en.com quoting a provincial government source.

Dow Corning has chosen a preliminary location for the systems, which are expected to manufacture 25,000 tons of metallurgical-grade silicon each, said the report.

Last update: 06 March 2009 at 10:33

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Hemlock Semiconductor polysilicon unit not affected by Dow Corning layoffs
25 February 2009 | By Tom Cheyney | News > Materials

Dow Corning majority-owned subsidary Hemlock Semiconductor will not be affected by the parent company's plans to cut 800 jobs, or 8% of its 10,000-strong worldwide workforce. The company offered no further details on the specific regional impacts of the layoffs, other than to say that reductions will occur at all of Dow Corning's global sites.

''While significant and serious, we have been able to keep the reduction of our workforce to these levels by reducing other costs across the company,'' said Stephanie Burns, chairwoman/president/CEO of Dow Corning, a joint venture between Dow Chemical and Corning.

Dow Corning is investing more than $2 billion in Hemlock, the industry leading solar and IC polysilicon manufacturer. The main plant in Saginaw County, Michigan, in undergoing a $1 billion expansion, while another $1.2 billion is being spent on the construction of a new poly factory in Clarksville, TN.

Once operational, the new production lines will push Hemlock's total poly capacity over 14,000 metric tons in 2009 and to more than 19,000 metric tons in 2010.