News Article
Albemarle to expand metal organics manufacturing plant
The expansion will enable the production of high purity trimethyl gallium and trimethyl aluminium used in the MOCVD manufacture of compound semiconductor wafers
Albemarle Corporation's board of directors has authorised the expansion of its facility in Yeosu, Korea.
The Yeosu facility, which is currently in the final stages of construction, will produce commercial quantities of finished catalysts and components used in the polymer industry.
The additional manufacturing capacity that has been authorised by the board will be dedicated to producing Albemarle's PureGrowth products. These include high purity trimethyl gallium (TMG), triethyl gallium (TEG) and trimethyl aluminium (TMA). These materials are used in the MOCVD process to manufacture compound semiconductor chips such as LEDs, III-V multi-junction solar cells, PINS, lasers and APDs.
The Korean expansion will complement Albemarle's existing capacity for these products, as well as trimethyl indium (TMI), at its facility in Baton Rouge, Loisiana.
"This expansion further strengthens Albemarle's position as the global leader in metal organic chemistry," says Amy H. Motto, Vice President of Albemarle's Catalysts global business unit. "More specifically, these new assets will enable us to meet both existing and future demand in the rapidly expanding electronic chemicals market."
"Over 80% of the global demand for LED products is in Asia," adds Jenny S. Hebert, Global Product Manager for Electronic Materials. "Expansion of our Korea facility will ensure security of supply in this high-growth region while reducing transportation risks. These state-of-the-art facilities will also allow us to consistently maintain the high purity standards required of electronic-grade metal organics."
Property for the expansion has been acquired and infrastructure plans have already been finalised and approved. The project is planned for completion in 2013.
The Yeosu facility, which is currently in the final stages of construction, will produce commercial quantities of finished catalysts and components used in the polymer industry.
The additional manufacturing capacity that has been authorised by the board will be dedicated to producing Albemarle's PureGrowth products. These include high purity trimethyl gallium (TMG), triethyl gallium (TEG) and trimethyl aluminium (TMA). These materials are used in the MOCVD process to manufacture compound semiconductor chips such as LEDs, III-V multi-junction solar cells, PINS, lasers and APDs.
The Korean expansion will complement Albemarle's existing capacity for these products, as well as trimethyl indium (TMI), at its facility in Baton Rouge, Loisiana.
"This expansion further strengthens Albemarle's position as the global leader in metal organic chemistry," says Amy H. Motto, Vice President of Albemarle's Catalysts global business unit. "More specifically, these new assets will enable us to meet both existing and future demand in the rapidly expanding electronic chemicals market."
"Over 80% of the global demand for LED products is in Asia," adds Jenny S. Hebert, Global Product Manager for Electronic Materials. "Expansion of our Korea facility will ensure security of supply in this high-growth region while reducing transportation risks. These state-of-the-art facilities will also allow us to consistently maintain the high purity standards required of electronic-grade metal organics."
Property for the expansion has been acquired and infrastructure plans have already been finalised and approved. The project is planned for completion in 2013.
