WACKER Launches New Semiconductor-Grade Polysilicon Production Line in Burghausen
WACKER has officially commissioned its state-of-the-art “Etching Line Next” production facility for semiconductor-grade polysilicon at its Burghausen site. The €300 million investment significantly strengthens the company’s position as the world’s leading producer of hyperpure polysilicon for the semiconductor industry.
“Ultra-pure polycrystalline silicon is the purest man-made material. It is the foundation of the semiconductor industry and, by extension, digital transformation,” said WACKER CEO Christian Hartel at the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by around 100 guests. “With Etching Line Next, we’re reinforcing our role as a global quality and technology leader. We are the only producer in Europe and the largest worldwide making polysilicon of this purity for semiconductors.”
Strong Support from Political Leaders
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder praised the project as a key step forward for Germany’s high-tech economy. “This €300 million investment sends a powerful message about Bavaria and Germany as competitive industrial hubs. Hyperpure polysilicon is essential to digitalization, and WACKER is a global leader. The state is contributing €50 million in innovation funding, alongside the federal government, as part of our commitment to Burghausen and the broader Bavarian chemical triangle,” Söder said. He also emphasized the importance of reducing energy costs, expanding renewables, and cutting red tape to keep Germany’s industrial base strong.
Gitta Connemann, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, also commended WACKER’s move. “Semiconductors are the backbone of our modern economy. This investment doesn’t just secure jobs—it strengthens Germany’s position in global competition. It’s a strong signal for innovation and technological sovereignty.”
Meeting Growing Global Demand
Driven by applications such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and Industry 4.0, the demand for ultra-pure polysilicon continues to rise. Semiconductor-grade polysilicon—essential for manufacturing high-performance chips—requires extremely stringent purity standards that few companies worldwide can meet. WACKER, with over 70 years in the polysilicon business, is among the very few that can deliver at this level.
The new production line boosts WACKER’s capacity for semiconductor-grade products by over 50%, enabling the company to meet rising customer needs and support its goal of doubling sales to semiconductor clients by 2030.
“Every second chip produced today uses polysilicon from WACKER,” said Hartel. “Etching Line Next allows us to offer even higher product quality and process stability—critical for next-generation chips used in AI and advanced computing. In simple terms: no polysilicon from WACKER, no AI.”
Ultra-High Purity and Advanced Automation
The polysilicon cleaning process at the new facility uses acid-based etching to remove the outermost layer of the silicon chunks, followed by rinsing, packaging, and shipping—all under cleanroom conditions. The result is polysilicon with a purity of 99.9999999999%, with impurity levels in the parts-per-trillion range—comparable to a single grain of sugar in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
WACKER also implemented innovative digital tools during the planning phase, using virtual simulations for production and logistics processes. This helped cut costs and enabled the facility to go live ahead of schedule. The project also includes advanced research initiatives and new automation technologies that ensure consistently high product quality.
Strategic Investment and EU Support
Construction began in late 2022, with phased commissioning starting in fall 2024. The facility is now operational and has already begun delivering its first shipments. The expansion is expected to create about 150 new jobs.
The project is part of the European Union’s Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) initiative in microelectronics and communication technologies. WACKER has secured up to €46 million in funding for research and innovation from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, and the EU.
