One Hundred Fifty Million Euros Invested in Solar Energy and Electronics onics Markets of the Future Markets of the Future

Shanghai,December 18, 2009(Gasgoo.com), Evonik Industries AG and its partner Taiyo Nippon Sanso  Corporation (TNSC) in Yokkaichi, Japan, laid the cornerstone for a futureoriented project to use environmentally friendly solar energy. A  traditional Shinto ceremony consecrated the ground for the beginning of  construction on an integrated production plant for monosilane and  AEROSIL?, the centerpiece of the project, for which a total volume of  €150 million (?20 billion) has been earmarked. Commissioning is  scheduled for 2011. TNSC and Evonik signed the agreement to  implement the project in May of this year, despite the worldwide  economic crisis. "By beginning construction on time，Evonik is pressing  ahead with this significant investment in solar energy and electronics,   both markets of the future, and is taking a further step in the attractive  Asian market," says Dr. Klaus Engel, chairman of the Executive Board of  Evonik Industries AG.    

Evonik is already the worldwide leading producer of chlorosilanes and a  major producer of monosilane-both key components for opening up the  solar energy market. There is no end in sight for the worldwide solar  boom. Based on forecasts, the world market for monosilanes alone is set  to grow an annual 20 percent, on average, by 2020. "The big energy  efficiency and climate protection trends are important growth drivers for  our business," said Engel. He added that with its commitment in  Yokkaichi, the Evonik Group is taking the opportunity in this rapidly  developing market to make a substantial contribution to climate  protection through its innovative products and services. 
Evonik has now signed a longterm supply agreement for monosilane  with TNSC, one of the foremost global distributors for industrial and  specialty gases, which includes silanes, and supplier to major customers  in the electronics industry in Asia for many years. Silanes are key  components in the manufacture of ultrapure silicon, an important raw material in the solar and electronics industry. The silicon tetrachloride generated during monosilane production in Yokkaichi is processed into AEROSIL? and marketed separately for applications in plastics, paints, and coatings, for example, as well as adhesives and sealants.

Evonik developed the monosilane production process itself and is already running a plant in Rheinfelden, Germany. The Yokkaichi plant allows the company to produce electronicsgrade monosilane for applications in thinfilm photovoltaics, flat screens, and semiconductors electronics, which are strong growth areas, especially in Asia.