09.12.2010 – 16:50

Wacker Chemie AG

EANS-News: WACKER Builds New Polysilicon Production Facility in the USA

Munich / Cleveland (TN, USA) (euro adhoc) -

- Integrated production site with an annual capacity of 15,000 metric
tons in the U.S. State of Tennessee
 - Some 650 new jobs expected 
from €1.1 billion investment
 - Completion scheduled for end of 2013
- CEO Rudolf Staudigl: “This large-scale investment is instrumental 
in strengthening our position as one of the world’s leading suppliers
of hyperpure polysilicon for the solar industry”

  Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
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Company Information

Subtitle: - Integrated production site with an annual capacity of 
15,000 metric tons in the U.S. State of Tennessee - Some 650 new jobs
expected from €1.1 billion investment - Completion scheduled for end 
of 2013 - CEO Rudolf Staudigl: “This large-scale investment is 
instrumental in strengthening our position as one of the world’s 
leading suppliers of hyperpure polysilicon for the solar industry”

December 9, 2010 - Wacker
Chemie AG will build a new and fully integrated polysilicon 
production site near the city of Cleveland, Tennessee (USA). The 
Munich-based chemical company announced the decision today. With an 
annual capacity of 15,000 metric tons, the production complex will be
built on a property acquired by WACKER early last year. In Cleveland,
WACKER will build facilities that are based on closed-loop material 
recycling for the entire polysilicon-production supply chain. This 
spans from the production of trichlorosilane feedstock and deposition
of hyperpure silicon through to facilities to recycle resultant 
by-products and auxiliary materials. The new site´s completion is 
expected at the end of 2013. The Group has budgeted investments of 
some EUR1.1 billion for this expansion of its production capacities. 
As a result, around 650 new jobs are expected to be created in 
Cleveland.

This investment decision will enable WACKER to meet the accelerating 
global demand it expects for hyperpure polycrystalline silicon. For 
coming years, WACKER anticipates continued double-digit annual growth
in polysilicon demand by the solar industry. The company likewise 
expects higher polysilicon demand from the electronics sector.

"This large-scale investment is instrumental in strengthening our 
position as one of the world´s leading suppliers of hyperpure 
polysilicon for the solar industry;" said Rudolf Staudigl, CEO of 
Wacker Chemie AG. "We are convinced that our customers´ demand for 
top-quality polysilicon will continue to increase in coming years, as
our material enables them to manufacture solar cells with high energy
yields. Moreover, these additional production capacities outside the 
eurozone help to make us more independent of exchange-rate 
fluctuations."

Good infrastructure conditions and competitively priced power were 
key aspects in selecting this site. Over-the-fence supply of chlorine
and excellent transportation infrastructure made Cleveland an 
attractive location. Plus, WACKER receives outstanding support in 
Tennessee from local authorities and business partners. The incentive
package associated with site construction includes provision of the 
necessary transportation links, as well as reliable water and 
electricity supplies - both vital for producing hyperpure 
polycrystalline silicon. In addition, Tennessee´s electricity prices 
are much lower than at comparable German sites.

With a production output of some 30,000 metric tons in 2010, WACKER 
is the world´s second-largest producer of hyperpure polycrystalline 
silicon. WACKER´s polysilicon production currently under construction
in Nünchritz (Germany) and the new capacities at its Tennessee site 
are reinforcing the Group´s position as a leading manufacturer of 
high-quality semiconductor and solar silicon.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on 
assumptions and estimates of WACKER´s Executive Board. Although we 
assume the expectations in these forward­looking statements are 
realistic, we cannot guarantee they will prove to be correct. The 
assumptions may harbor risks and uncertainties that may cause the 
actual figures to differ considerably from the forward­looking 
statements. Factors that may cause such discrepancies include, among 
other things, changes in the economic and business environment, 
variations in exchange and interest rates, the introduction of 
competing products, lack of acceptance for new products or services, 
and changes in corporate strategy. WACKER does not plan to update the
forward­looking statements, nor does it assume the obligation to do 
so.

end of announcement                               euro adhoc

Further inquiry note:

Christof Bachmair
Media Relations & Information
Tel.: +49 (0)89 6279 1830
E-Mail: christof.bachmair@wacker.com

Branche: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000WCH8881
WKN: WCH888
Index: Midcap Market Index, MDAX, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX,
Prime All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard