May 16, 2001 — Heraeus, a German technology company that deals with precious metals, quartz glass, medical technology and specialty lighting, is reportedly considering establishing a billon-dollar plant in Singapore.
The plant would be used to make components for the fibre-optics industry, and would include a large cleanroom area, according to a report in the Straits Times. Specifically, the facility is expected to produce synthetic quartz glass tubes used for high-speed telecommunications fibre-optic cables.
Officials told the newspaper that Singapore is one of several locations being eyed, however no decision would be made in the near future. The plant is expected to cost around $1 billion.
Singapore is already feeling the effects of a strong electronics sector, which last year was responsible for $82 billion is sales.
Industry gurus expect a significant growth in demand in the fibre-optics market over the next few years.
Heraeus currently has facilities in Germany and the US, but those plants are said to be reaching their production capacities. Its customers include Lucent Technologies, Plasma Optical Fibers and Pirelli.