GT Solar launches next-generation silicon tetrachloride converter for direct chlorination polysilicon plants

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Morrimack, New Hampshire--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GT Solar International, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOLR) is a global supplier of polysilicon production technologies, as well as systems and materials for sapphire and silicon crystal growth, serving the solar, LED, and other specialty markets. The company today launched the next-generation silicon tetrachloride converter for polysilicon production plants at the SNEC industry exhibition in Shanghai, China. These plants use the direct chlorination process to hydrogenate silicon tetrachloride. This new type of silicon tetrachloride converter provides an economical upgrade path for operating older direct chlorination polysilicon plants, enabling them to increase production capacity and reduce annual operating costs. This, in turn, can lower the overall cost per kilogram of the produced polysilicon. Each converter can support an annual polysilicon production of up to 2,500 tons. It is estimated that in less than 18 months, the operational costs saved by the factory will be sufficient to recoup the investment required to replace the older-generation converters. Dave Keck, Vice President and General Manager of GT Solar’s polysilicon business unit, said, “A new type of high-efficiency silicon tetrachloride furnace can replace about 6 older-generation furnaces.” This can significantly reduce converter maintenance costs and lower the plant’s power consumption. We are committed to helping our customers enhance their competitiveness by providing them with relevant technical and engineering services, enabling them to produce high-quality polysilicon at the lowest possible price per kilogram. Our new silicon tetrachloride converter will help customers operating older direct chlorination plants achieve this goal. ” GT Solar has also launched a new service program aimed at improving the productivity and operational performance of its growing base of DSS furnace customers. Customers who join the Productivity Partner Program will be able to easily obtain GT Solar’s consumables and genuine GT Solar inventory components. The program also provides equipment process knowledge and expertise through GT Solar’s senior technical team in Asia, ensuring that customers’ DSS furnaces achieve maximum performance, thereby maximizing the amount of high-quality material produced per kilogram. Ed Samaha, Vice President of Global Services at GT Solar, said, “The Productivity Partnership Program is a new type of GT Solar service offering. It aims to establish successful long-term strategic partnerships with our DSS customers throughout the entire product lifecycle – what we sometimes refer to as the ownership period.” For our DSS customers and GT Solar, this is a win-win plan, as we work together to ensure that our customers’ DSS furnaces maintain optimal productivity levels and maximize return on investment. ”