The Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has designated a planned polysilicon factory in the country as of strategic importance under the Net Zero Industry Act.
The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has named a planned renewable energy polysilicon factory in the Netherlands as a strategic project under the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA).
The planned facility, which is being developed by Dutch startup Resilicon, is intended to produce high-purity polysilicon for solar energy supply chains.
Last October, Resilicon said the basic engineering phase of the plant, which will be built in the Groningen seaport area in the northeast of the Netherlands, was underway after the project secured a technology supplier and an engineering, procurement and construction contractor.
At the time, the company said the project was supported by more than €14 million ($16.3 million) in financing with contributions from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The ministry has now said the project supports the NZIA’s aim to scale up Europe’s net-zero technologies, strengthen supply chains and create high-quality jobs.
Resilicon CEO Remco Rijn noted that the ministry’s latest recognition is of great significance. “It confirms and strengthens our ambition to build sustainable and reliable polysilicon production in Europe, support more resilient European supply chains and create attractive jobs and development opportunities,” Rijn added.
Resilicon says a key driver of the project is addressing the challenges associated with more than 85% of global polysilicon production today being concentrated in China. The company adds that the planned plant is designed “to be one of the most energy-efficient polysilicon plants in the world and to help build stronger, more resilient European value chains.” The company also says it will process as many green raw materials as possible, such as metallurgical silicon and hydrogen, in addition to auxiliary materials steam, water and nitrogen.
Resilicon estimates that European demand for polysilicon, the fundamental component of solar cells, is expected to increase by 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes by the end of the decade. Last October, the company said that around €900 million will be needed for the plant, adding that several parties are exploring investment opportunities.
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