By Renewable Energy Focus staff

The line will have a capacity of 2000 MT, and construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2011 with mechanical completion in Q1 2012. Commercial production is planned to commence in the second quarter of 2012.

Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO of LDK Solar, says: “We believe this new investment in manufacturing silane gas has a great synergy with LDK Solar's polysilicon manufacturing expertise and will enhance LDK Solar's product offerings in the long term. There is growing demand for silane in China, but there is not a domestic supplier."

Goran Bye, President and CEO of LDK Silicon and Chemical Business Unit, adds: "We will be able to leverage our existing technologies and Trichlorosilane (TCS) production assets to lower the capital expenditure as well as to achieve very attractive manufacturing costs. We believe that LDK Solar will have a competitive advantage as the first mover supplying domestic silane gas needs."