Pinal Today

Solvay, a materials, and chemicals company, recently announced plans to build an electronic grade hydrogen peroxide (eH2O2) facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, to support the growing semiconductor market in the United States.

The company entered a deal to purchase 25 acres of land in Casa Grande’s Central Arizona Commerce Park to construct a new facility, according to a news release by the Arizona Commerce Authority.

“We are excited to welcome Solvay to the city of Casa Grande,” Casa Grande Mayor, Craig McFarlan, said in the release. “Their investment in a new Casa Grande greenfield facility is proof that Casa Grande is becoming a key location in the Arizona semiconductor industry. The city shares Solvay’s values of sustainability and innovation through their three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources, and fostering a better life.”

The new facility will create 30 full-time jobs and will provide more than $3 million in benefits to Casa Grande's economy annually, the release stated.

“We are excited to proceed with this project to supply the U.S. semiconductor market, including new manufacturing being built in the Phoenix area, using safe, clean and reliable technology,” Solvay North America Business Director, Ziad Haddad, said in the release. “We appreciate the support we have received from the city of Casa Grande, Pinal County, and the Arizona Commerce Authority, and look forward to continuing to work with them to create high-quality, local jobs, to give back to the community and create sustainable shared value for our customers, our shareholders and our employees.”

Solvay's facility will convert hydrogen peroxide into an ultra-high purity grade to clean silicon wafers needed to manufacture semiconductors, which are essential components of electronic devices, according to the release.

“Solvay’s sustainable chemical manufacturing facility is a valued addition to Arizona’s semiconductor industry,” Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO, Sandra Watson said in the release. “The new facility will manufacture critical components for chip production while bolstering Arizona’s semiconductor supply chain even further. We’re grateful for Solvay’s commitment to Arizona and look forward to supporting their future success in Casa Grande.”

Development of the new facility is scheduled to begin in 2023. It will be powered by renewable electricity, in line with the company’s Solvay One Planet sustainability roadmap, the release stated. Production equipment will be housed within an enclosed climate-controlled building using technology already in use at Solvay locations worldwide – including its site near Houston.