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Egypt prepares to prequalify firms for silicon project

19 June 2023

State-owned Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (Echem) is preparing to invite companies to prequalify to bid for its planned silicon production complex project in Egypt’s Matruh Governorate, according to sources.

The first phase of the project is estimated to be worth $172m and is expected to be developed in four phases.

When complete, it is expected to produce 45,000 tons of metallic silicon a year.

The selected contractor will build storage units and packaging lines; it will also be responsible for installing machinery, security systems and power generation networks.

Strategic project

In May, Egypt’s Petroleum & Mineral Resources Ministry released a statement calling the project one of the most important strategic projects in the sector.

The project will be built on land owned by Echem in the city of Alamein and a company called Alamein Company for Silicon Products has been created to develop and operate the project.

In the statement, the ministry said that a detailed feasibility study for the first phase of the project had been completed.

The second phase of the project will develop units for the production of silicon derivatives that have a wide range of uses, including in the manufacture of insulation materials, construction materials, rubber and paper.

Phase two will have an initial production capacity of 60,000-100,000 tonnes annually, according to the ministry, which added that the capacity would depend on the availability of metallic silicon, methanol and hydrochloric acid.

The third phase of the project will establish a factory for the production of polysilicon with an initial production capacity of 10,000 tonnes annually.

This material is used in solar cells and electronic microchips.

The fourth phase of the project will establish a complex for small and medium industries to produce final products such as insulating materials, adhesives, binders and rubber.

The project is expected to be tendered using the engineering, procurement, construction and finance model.

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Wil Crisp

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