Wacker Polysilicon Charleston
Large load · 553 WACKER BLVD, Charleston, TN
Wacker's Charleston, Tennessee, site in Bradley County makes electronic-grade polysilicon for semiconductors and fumed silica. Polysilicon is made by electricity-intensive deposition, and Wacker chose Tennessee in part for Tennessee Valley Authority industrial electricity rates it described as about half those in Germany. In September 2026 a Reuters report that Wacker might close the plant after new US trade measures was denied by the company, which said it has no plans to close the facility. No source gives the site's load in megawatts or its TVA contract terms.
Overview
Wacker has produced high-purity polysilicon for the semiconductor and solar industries in Charleston since 2015, and added pyrogenic silica production in 2019. The plant, built for roughly $2.5 billion, was designed to make over 20,000 metric tons of polysilicon a year at full capacity. In 2026 trade coverage described it as producing mainly electronic-grade polysilicon for semiconductors, and fumed silica for Wacker's silicones factory in Adrian, Michigan.
Profile
- Section 232 trade policy and the closure report
- On September 4, 2026, Reuters reported that Wacker would decide within weeks whether to close the Charleston facility after new US trade measures drove away its two remaining customers. Wacker told local news it has no plans to close the facility, while saying the Section 232 polysilicon action does not, as written, effectively support US-made polysilicon. The company said it was in talks with the administration about changes.
Facility
- Activity
- Electronic-grade polysilicon and fumed silica
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Site type
- Facility
- Operating status
- Operating
Reported Sep 6, 2026
Permits and agreements
- Agreement
- State and TVA partnership giving industrial electricity rates about half those in Germany
Related records
Timeline
- Aug 2, 2022
- Wacker announced plans to add a silicone production complex at Charleston
Wacker plans expansion of its Charleston site - European Coatings
- Sep 4, 2026
- Reuters reported Wacker might close the Charleston plant; Wacker denied it has plans to close
Speculation on closure of Wacker’s polysilicon plant in the US