What does it take to build ultra-pure polysilicon production in Europe?
In a recent interview with Solar & Storage Magazine, RESiLICON CEO, Remco Rijn, shared his perspective on where the project stands today and why ultra-pure polysilicon has become a strategic issue for Europe’s energy transition and industrial resilience.
This is not a new question. It is one the company has been working on for many years, and one that has become increasingly urgent.
The origins of this effort go back more than a decade. As early as 2008, plans existed to produce solar-grade silicon in the Netherlands. While the financial crisis put those ambitions on hold, the underlying rationale remained. Today’s geopolitical and industrial context has only reinforced the need for European production.
Against this backdrop, polysilicon sits at the foundation of multiple strategic value chains. Securing reliable and competitive production in Europe is therefore a matter of industrial resilience.
In response, RESiLICON is developing a facility in Delfzijl, in the north of the Netherlands, with the aim of producing ultra-pure polysilicon. The project is designed with a strong focus on efficiency, reliability and long-term competitiveness for European industry.
However, a project of this scale requires long-term commitment from customers, investors and public partners. RESiLICON has made tangible progress: the basic design is nearing completion, a strong core team is in place, and the environmental permitting process will soon begin. In parallel, discussions with industrial partners across Europe are ongoing.
At the same time, rebuilding strategic manufacturing capacity cannot happen in isolation. Regional, national and European frameworks, including the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Industrial Accelerator Act, are important enablers.
RESiLICON therefore welcomes dialogue with industry partners, investors and policymakers interested in strengthening Europe’s value chains at their foundation.
You can read the full interview with Solar & Storage Magazine here.
