Ceradyne opens new crucible plant in China

Ceradyne opened its new plant on schedule to meet demand for solar wafers from China and Asia-based PV manufacturers.

At an estimated cost of US$34.0 million the 218,000-square-foot factory in Tianjin, China adds to Ceradyne’s previous capacity expansions at Ceradyne Tianjin Technical Ceramics made in the first half of 2010.

“It was only three and a half years ago that we opened the first crucible factory in Tianjin for the development and manufacture of high-technology ceramic crucibles to meet our Chinese customers' requirements," noted Bruce Lockhart, Ceradyne Vice President responsible for the Company's solar energy operations.

The opening ceremonies were attended by customers from Europe, the U.S., Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and China. Suppliers and contractors from Italy, Mexico, the U.S. and China also attended along with Chinese employees and key Ceradyne executives, including Ceradyne ACO President David P. Reed and Ceradyne CFO Jerrold J. Pellizzon.