Simcoa Operations Pty Ltd recently commenced a two stage expansion project. The first stage of the project involves extending the existing furnace complex to install a third submerged arc furnace. The second stage of the project will involve construction of a fourth furnace, subject to market developments. It is anticipated the third furnace will be completed in August 2011. This new furnace will produce an additional 16,000 tonnes of high grade silicon and 4,000 metric tonnes of silica fume each year. There will also be extensions to site power supply infrastructure, raw material handling systems, off-gas filtration and fume collection systems.

The decision to proceed with the expansion follows years of work to improve plant efficiencies in terms of recovery rates, energy usage and waste minimisation and is in response to an increasing demand in the market, especially from the rapidly growing solar sector.  Simcoa is confident that with design improvements based on 20 years experience of silicon production, Simcoa’s reputation as the world’s most efficient silicon smelter will be further enhanced.

The new furnaces will differ in design from the existing furnaces in that they will be designed to facilitate energy recovery from furnace waste heat in future.  This is in line with Simcoa’s philosophy of reducing or utilising waste wherever possible in order to minimise Simcoa’s environmental footprint.  The furnaces will also incorporate the latest electrode technology.

Simcoa consider themselves to be an advocate of Australian industry and where possible utilise Australian based companies locally to facilitate the plant operations requirements. For details of expansion project contract packages refer to the Contracting and Supply Register attached below. For contracting opportunities register your interest with Project Managers, Abesque Engineering Ltd, on Ph 08 6222 6400.