July 10, 2009 at 13:02Kyrgyz Si for Russian money
In the near future, all the electronics around us will become a bit Kyrgyz, writes Kommersant . The fact is that a unique Soviet plant for the production of polycrystalline silicon, a very popular and scarce material in modern times, was commissioned in the Ferghana Valley, especially since the global silicon market is currently divided between a few monopolists.
A silicon plant in the town of Tash-Kumyr began to be built in the 80s, then it was on the list of priority objects of national importance. The place was carefully chosen: there is an excess of electricity (cascade of Toktogul hydroelectric power stations), a large river and quartzite deposits are nearby. Nevertheless, the enterprises did not manage to establish normal operation, only the new owners from Tash-Kumyr Silicon Productions managed to do this only now. They invested $ 15 million in the plant and intend to increase the annual output from the current 165 tons to 2000 tons (3% of world production) within two years. Raw materials for production are being brought from abroad, but will soon switch to local quartzites. The obtained polycrystalline silicon has already passed test tests in the leading Russian laboratories of KHMZ-Astra CJSC, Podolsky KhMZ and in the Moscow Federal State Unitary Enterprise NIIP.
Enormous investments are needed to expand production ($ 200 million), but Rusnano Corporation, which has almost unlimited financial resources, has already shown interest. Soon a Russian delegation will arrive in Tash-Kumyr to discuss these issues.
Interestingly, thanks to silicon, Kyrgyz exports will immediately increase by 25%. In no other country in the world will silicon make up such a large share in exports (in fact, only a few countries are engaged in production), so in this sense, Kyrgyzstan will become the most silicon country in the world. The IT industry can breathe a second life into the economy of the Central Asian republic. The authorities are already making plans to develop the electronics industry and the production of solar panels.
Well, in the city of Tash-Kumyr over the past year, life has simply blossomed: 600 local residents got a fantastic salary of $ 200 per month, and the price of housing in the city rose from $ 12 to $ 70 per m².
A silicon plant in the town of Tash-Kumyr began to be built in the 80s, then it was on the list of priority objects of national importance. The place was carefully chosen: there is an excess of electricity (cascade of Toktogul hydroelectric power stations), a large river and quartzite deposits are nearby. Nevertheless, the enterprises did not manage to establish normal operation, only the new owners from Tash-Kumyr Silicon Productions managed to do this only now. They invested $ 15 million in the plant and intend to increase the annual output from the current 165 tons to 2000 tons (3% of world production) within two years. Raw materials for production are being brought from abroad, but will soon switch to local quartzites. The obtained polycrystalline silicon has already passed test tests in the leading Russian laboratories of KHMZ-Astra CJSC, Podolsky KhMZ and in the Moscow Federal State Unitary Enterprise NIIP.
Enormous investments are needed to expand production ($ 200 million), but Rusnano Corporation, which has almost unlimited financial resources, has already shown interest. Soon a Russian delegation will arrive in Tash-Kumyr to discuss these issues.
Interestingly, thanks to silicon, Kyrgyz exports will immediately increase by 25%. In no other country in the world will silicon make up such a large share in exports (in fact, only a few countries are engaged in production), so in this sense, Kyrgyzstan will become the most silicon country in the world. The IT industry can breathe a second life into the economy of the Central Asian republic. The authorities are already making plans to develop the electronics industry and the production of solar panels.
Well, in the city of Tash-Kumyr over the past year, life has simply blossomed: 600 local residents got a fantastic salary of $ 200 per month, and the price of housing in the city rose from $ 12 to $ 70 per m².