Semiconductors Archives

Biden admin to provide $750 million to North Carolina-based Wolfspeed for advanced computer chips

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden-Harris administration announced plans to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to Wolfspeed, with the money supporting its new silicon carbide factory in North Carolina that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips and its factory in Marcy, New York. The new Wolfspeed facility in Siler City could be a critical symbol in this year’s election, as it opened earlier this year in a swing state county that is undergoing rapid economic expansion in large part due to incentives provided by the Biden-Harris administration.… Continue Reading

North Carolina maker of high-purity quartz back operating post-Helene

SPRUCE PINE, N.C. (AP) — One of the two companies that manufacture high-purity quartz used for making semiconductors from mines in a western North Carolina community harmed by Hurricane Helene is operating again. Sibelco announced on Thursday that production has restarted at its mining and processing operations in Spruce Pine. Customer shipments also are happening. Sibelco and The Quartz Corp. shut down operations ahead of Helene’s arrival. The Quartz Corp. said last week it was too early to know when it would resume operations. Spruce Pine quartz is used to manufacture the equipment needed to make silicon chips. It’s also used for making solar panels and fiber-optic cables.… Continue Reading

North Carolina town that produces quartz needed for tech products is devastated by Helene

SPRUCE PINE, N.C. (AP) — Two North Carolina facilities that manufacture the high-purity quartz used for making semiconductors, solar panels and fiber optic cables have been shut down by Hurricane Helene. No reopening date is in sight. Sibelco and The Quartz Corp both shut down operations in the Appalachian town of Spruce Pine on Thursday. The town is home to mines that produce some of the world’s highest quality quartz. Since the storm, both companies have issued statements saying that their top priorities are making sure their employees are safe. Sibelco says some employees are “unreachable due to ongoing power outages and communication challenges.”… Continue Reading