Tokuyama Corporation, a Japanese chemical company, and OCI, a South Korean polysilicon producer, have recently entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct a new polysilicon factory in Malaysia. The planned facility will have a production capacity of 10,000 metric tons (MT) and is set to be located at an undisclosed site in Malaysia.
The decision to establish this factory stems from Tokuyama's strategic response to the expanding semiconductor market, which is expected to drive a surge in demand for polycrystalline silicon. By partnering with OCI, Tokuyama aims to collaborate on the development of production and supply facilities for semiconductor-grade polycrystalline silicon, utilizing clean energy sources. This joint venture seeks to facilitate accelerated business expansion in the electronics sector while effectively managing and minimizing increases in CO2 emissions. However, specific details regarding the collaboration and factory construction were not disclosed in the statement released by Tokuyama.
OCI's Malaysian subsidiary, OCIM Sdn Bhd (OCIMSB), currently operates a 35,000 MT polysilicon factory in the Samalaju Industrial Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Interestingly, OCIMSB had acquired this facility from Tokuyama back in 2016. Together with their existing 3,000-MT factory in Gunsan, South Korea, OCI's total annual polysilicon production capacity will reach 38,000 MT once the new Malaysian factory becomes operational.
The partnership between Tokuyama and OCI demonstrates their commitment to meeting the growing demand for polycrystalline silicon in the semiconductor industry. By leveraging their expertise and resources, the companies aim to establish a strong presence in the electronics field while actively addressing environmental concerns. The finalization of the collaboration and subsequent progress on the factory construction are awaited, as both entities continue their efforts to meet the industry's evolving requirements.
