Asia PR News

HEMLOCK, Mich., July 31 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

Growth in solar industry powering demand for ultra-pure material

Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, based in Hemlock, Mich. (USA), is
launching a worldwide search for a potential second manufacturing site to
produce polycrystalline silicon to support the growing demand from the solar
industry and electronics markets.

The search will begin immediately as company officials evaluate locations
throughout the globe. Hemlock Semiconductor would like to have the new
facility operational within the next 5 years. Factors in selecting the new
site include: cost of energy, tax considerations, incentive programs, labor
and land costs, and the surrounding infrastructure.

"The solar industry requires polycrystalline silicon to continue to
develop the next generation of solar technologies," said Richard S. Doornbos,
president and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor. "We’re looking for a site that
enables us to expand and continue to serve customers around the world in this
rapidly growing and progressive industry. Exploring opportunities for adding
capacity in Michigan will get the same consideration as other potential global
sites," said Doornbos.

Polycrystalline silicon is the cornerstone material used to produce solar
cells that harvest energy from sunlight. An ultra-pure version of the
material is also the base-material for silicon wafers used in electronic
devices.

Hemlock Semiconductor is the world’s largest producer of polycrystalline
silicon. In November 2005, the company broke ground on an expansion at its
existing facility in Hemlock, Mich. that will increase the site’s current
annual capacity of 10,000 metric tons to 14,500 metric tons in 2008 and then
to 19,000 metric tons by 2009. Doornbos said the capacity at the second site
will provide additional flexibility for future growth.

Marie N. Eckstein, vice president and general manager of Advanced
Technologies at Dow Corning expects the solar energy industry to grow at a
30 - 40 percent pace over the next 10 years. "The solar industry is ripe with
innovation, and shortages in polycrystalline silicon have held the industry
back somewhat," said Eckstein. "Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor are
doing everything we can to help our customers continue to create innovative
products that benefit people throughout the globe."

Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation is a joint venture of Dow Corning
Corporation and two Japanese firms, Shin-Etsu Handotai Company, Ltd. and
Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. In addition to serving the solar energy
market, the company also provides materials used in the production of
semiconductor devices used in computers, cell phones and other electronic
applications.

Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation (http://www.hscpoly.com ) is the world’s
leading provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products
used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices and passive solar cells and
modules. Headquartered in Hemlock, Mich., Hemlock Semiconductor is owned in
majority by Dow Corning Corporation.

Dow Corning Corporation (http://www.dowcorning.com ) provides performance-
enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers
worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation,
offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned
by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Corning, Incorporated (NYSE: GLW).
More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the United States.

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SOURCE Dow Corning Corporation

NOTE TO EDITORS: Interview requests with Hemlock Semiconductor and Dow
Corning personnel available upon request. Pictures of Hemlock Semiconductor’s
current facility, Richard Doornbos, Marie Eckstein and polycrystalline silicon
available by contacting Jarrod Erpelding of Dow Corning.

CONTACT: Jarrod Erpelding of Dow Corning, +1-989-496-1582,
Jarrod.Erpelding@dowcorning.com

Web site: http://www.dowcorning.com
http://www.hscpoly.com
(DOW GLW)