Key info about Egypt’s silicon project in New Alamein

CAIRO - 7 October 2022: The industrial zone of New Alamein hosts a complex project to produce silicon and its derivatives to achieve the maximum possible use of natural resources in Egypt and their added value.

The petroleum sector is implementing an integrated plan to increase the capabilities of the Egyptian petrochemical industry. That includes the Red Sea Petrochemical Complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and Petrochemical projects in the industrial back of New Alamein, which overlooks the Mediterranean. The projects represent attractive opportunities for local and international investments.

The following is some key information about the silicon project: 

1- The project establishes a complex of metallic silicon and its derivatives at an investment cost of $700 million.

2- The project will be built in the industrial zone of New Alamein to bridge the import gap of silicon, which supports a strategy for optimal exploitation of natural resources and maximizing their added value.

 3- The banking feasibility study for the first phase of the project shows the production 45,000 tons of mineral silicon at an investment cost of $178 million.

4- It is planned to start operating for this stage during the third quarter of 2024.

5- Examples of industries that include silicon are insulating materials, adhesives, rubber and others.

6- The project includes two other phases. The second phase will produce silicon monomer alongside the first phase.

7- Polysilicon will also be produced as a third stage of the complex to be used in the electronics industry, solar cells and the aluminum industry.

8- Polysilicon has many uses in the manufacture of solar cells and electronic chips and has a very high added value that is 20 times higher than the raw material.