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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Globe Metallurgical Considers Selma, Alabama, Plant Reopening

10/07/2021
Britain-based Ferroglobe PLC, a leading producer of silicon metal, silicon-based alloys and manganese-based specialty alloys, announced its subsidiary, Globe Metallurgical Inc., is considering plans to restart its silicon metal facility in Selma, Alabama.

Combined, the two-furnace operation in Selma has a total annual capacity of 22,000 tons of silicon metal, which is used in many applications including to produce the silicon wafers for photovoltaic solar cells and electronic semiconductors. It’s also used to strengthen aluminum and as a raw material in a growing number of industrial and consumer products. GMI’s plans call for restarting one furnace at the Dallas County facility in December 2021, with hopes of restarting the second furnace by March 2022.

“In light of favorable market conditions in North America heading into 2022, the Selma facility will be an important asset in our U.S. silicon platform going forward,” said Ferroglobe CEO Marco Levi. “The restart of the Selma facility has been a part of our multi-year strategy, and we feel this is an opportune time to commence the process. We thank the State of Alabama for all their support and look forward to welcoming back the workforce.”

GMI said it is working with Alabama and local representatives on the plans. The company is seeking New Market Tax Credits for the project, which would help offset commissioning costs and enable it to acquire and upgrade equipment to begin production of silicon metal.

“The Alabama team is fully committed to stimulating economic growth in the state’s rural areas and supportive of GMI’s move to restart its idled facility in Dallas County,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of Alabama Department of Commerce. “We plan to work with the company to help facilitate its plans, which will provide an economic boost to the Selma community and opportunities for its hard-working citizens,” he added.

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