Globe Specialty Metals:  Manufacturing a Future for the Solar Industry
 
The earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the whole world uses in a year.  Think about that.  In a world where our reliance on energy is greater than ever, it makes sense that we’d want to harness solar energy, especially as the use of fossil fuels becomes increasingly problematic due to its dwindling supply and resulting pollution.
 
In New York, we’re doing just that.  After six years sitting idle, the Globe Metallurgical Plant in Niagara Falls opened in 2009.  Most solar technologies require purified silicon, which is in high demand but is extremely scarce. Globe Specialty Metals manufactures purified silicon at its Niagara Falls plant, which is expected to help attract major solar panel manufacturers to the State and the region.
 
The plant, owned by Globe Specialty Metals Inc., the parent company of Globe Metallurgical, will meet this ever-increasing demand for silicon.  Globe Specialty Metals invested more than $25 million for the refurbishment of two furnaces.  This included modernizing and improving emission controls equipment in order to meet or exceed all environmental standards, as well as improve the appearance of the facility by demolishing old structures and removing unnecessary equipment.  Globe also plans to construct an upgraded metallurgical grade silicon facility in the future.
 
“We expect this reopening will send a message to the business community that Western New York is open for business and we hope it will lead to an expansion of our business and additional skilled manufacturing jobs in this area,” Jeff Bradley, CEO of Globe Specialty Metals.  “This project will be a cornerstone for New York State to become a major center for production and research for renewable energy, and in particular solar energy products.”
 
The company worked with Empire State Development, the New York Power Authority, New York State Department of Labor and the City of Niagara Falls to bring this project to New York State and the public-sector incentive package includes 40 megawatts of hydropower over five years, as well as up to $25 million in Empire Zone benefits for up to ten years.
 
“The reopening of this facility would not have happened without the efforts made by Governor Paterson, Empire State Development, New York Power Authority, Mayor Dyster, Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, Senator Antoine Thompson, Senator George Maziarz and several local and state agencies, as well as the strong support received from the local community,” said Bradley.  “This as an example of what can result from the collaborative work of various government, business and community organizations.  The strong support of Empire State Development was critical in arranging the package of incentives that facilitated the plant’s re-opening.”
 
“Upstate New York has a long, proud history in manufacturing and this project advances that history as the region emerges as a dynamic leader in the CleanTech industry,” said ESD Western New York Regional Office Director Christina Orsi. “New York State will continue to develop incentives to attract clean energy industries to New York, advancing Governor Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force recommendations and his 45 by 15 initiative.”
 
As part of the agreement, Globe will allow ESD to offer solar cell manufacturers up to 25 percent of Globe’s upgraded metallurgical grade silicon (UMG-Si) production at a reduced price as an incentive to locate to New York State. This agreement is designed to fuel the development of the clean energy industry in Western New York, bringing additional jobs and capital investment and providing a foundation for New York to become a leader in the solar use and production industry
 
“Our region has much to offer, from low cost, home grown power to a highly skilled, highly trained workforce,” said Orsi.  “This is only the beginning.”
 
The solar industry is the highest growth sector in the CleanTech cluster. In fact, solar energy demand has grown at about 30 percent per annum over the past 15 years.
 
Globe Specialty Metals is one of the world’s largest producers of silicon metal and silicon-based specialty alloys, critical ingredients in a host of industrial and consumer products with growing markets. Customers include major silicone, chemical, aluminum and steel manufacturers, producers of photovoltaic solar cells and computer chips, the auto industry, ductile iron foundries and concrete producers. Globe has U.S. manufacturing facilities in Alabama, New York, Ohio and West Virginia and overseas, plants in Poland, Argentina and China. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

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