MEMC Electronic Materials` manufacturing expands 200,000 ft2

St. Peters, MO — The first phase of a major fast track expansion project at the MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. silicon wafer manufacturing facility was completed in December. MEMC is increasing its manufacturing facilities by 200,000 ft2 that will include a new, two-level building — an addition to its crystal puller facility; a four-level building housing support facilities; and a three-level EPI wafer facility of offices, mechanical support and cleanrooms, with an attached three-level, final cleaning facility. Phase One construction began in October 1995, and completion is projected for next month. McCarthy (St. Louis, MO) is responsible for construction of the project.

The MEMC expansion includes a new crystal puller facility that will house a Class 10,000 cleanroom on the ground level for the crystal pullers and a basement area for process and electrical systems. The adjacent support building includes shipping and receiving areas; a Class 10,000 cleanroom for material handling; an R&D laboratory; office space; and process, HVAC and main electrical systems. The EPI/Final Cleaning facility houses the last steps of the manufacturing process and includes a basement that houses gown rooms, locker rooms and process and utility equipment. The facility contains primarily Class 1 cleanroom space and an interstitial floor, which holds recirculation air-handling units. The second floor of the facility contains space for office and mechanical equipment. McCarthy will also construct an adjacent building for bulk gas distribution, gas cabinets and scrubbers. The company conducts a cleanroom protocol program to train all team members on how to build “clean” and understand particle control in order to continuously keep construction areas clean, according to Rich Corey, McCarthy Project Manager for the EPI/Final Cleaning Project. n