Mississippi Silicon Opens New Plant
The 170,000 sq ft operation is the first silicon metals plant built in United States in 40 years.
Posted: November 24, 2015
Mississippi Silicon, LLC (Burnsville, MS) officials and State of Mississippi leaders celebrated the grand opening of the first silicon metal manufacturing facility to be built in the United States in more than 40 years. The $200 million plant, which began start-up operations in late September, just 21 months after groundbreaking, will help meet a growing demand for silicon metal that is used in thousands of products, ranging from computer chips to automotive manufacturing to chemicals used in industrial, commercial and consumer applications.
The 170,000 sq ft plant sits on 94 acres in Tishomingo County, located in Northeast Mississippi and is a joint venture between the Vicintin family of Brazil and CleanTech LLC (San Francisco, CA). The Vicintin family owns Rima Industrial S/A, a leading ferroalloy and non-ferrous metals producer in Brazil, and is majority owner of the project. CleanTech is an investment partnership that includes a group of strategic investors and financial advisers.
“With the latest technology and most environmentally friendly equipment available in the world, this will be the premier silicon manufacturing facility in our industry,” said Ricardo Vicintin, the chairman of Mississippi Silicon and chief executive officer of Rima Industrial. “Our company could not be any prouder of what has been accomplished here in a short amount of time and the impact it will have for decades to come in the local community and the silicon metal industry as a whole.”
Company officials studied and analyzed several sites before deciding on Burnsville, which is located near U.S. 72, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and rail transportation. Mississippi Silicon said aggressive recruitment by the Mississippi Development Authority, the state’s economic development agency; electricity provider Tennessee Valley Authority; and Tishomingo County elected and economic development leaders sealed the deal.
“I appreciate the team for choosing a Mississippi location and creating so many new jobs in the region. This facility will generate a significant effect on the area’s economy, and its opening is a testament to the coordinated teamwork of state and local economic developers,” said Governor Phil Bryant. “I know the region’s workforce will produce world-class results, ensuring that this company enjoys many successful years in our state.”
The labor force for construction of the facility peaked at 400 in July of this year. Mississippi Silicon now employs over 100 permanent employees, which is expected to grow to approximately 125 by the end of December and 200 in the coming years. The plant is expected to produce approximately 36,000 metric tons of silicon metal a year.
“This grand opening is a great tribute to the leadership of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Tishomingo County and MDA, who worked together to bring this great company to our state, creating exciting career opportunities for the people of Northeast Mississippi,” said MDA executive director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “We congratulate Mississippi Silicon on this milestone and look forward to the company’s growth and success in Tishomingo County.”T
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