Ferroglobe Announces Plans to Restart Silicon Metal Facility in the United States

LONDON, Sept. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ: GSM) (“Ferroglobe” or the “Company”), a leading producer of silicon metal, silicon-based alloys and manganese-based specialty alloys, is pleased to announce today that its subsidiary, Globe Metallurgical Inc. (“GMI”), is considering plans to restart its silicon metal facility in Selma, Alabama (United States).

GMI is working with state and local representatives and is seeking New Market Tax Credits for the project, which would help offset commissioning costs and enable the Company to acquire and upgrade equipment to begin production of silicon metal.

Combined, the two-furnace operation has total annual capacity of 22,000 tons of silicon metal. GMI would plan on restarting one furnace in December 2021 and hopes to restart the second furnace by March 2022. Combined the facility would require approximately 100 local new hires, and 150 indirect local suppliers.

Marco Levi, Ferroglobe’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “Ferroglobe is one of the few silicon metal producers with meaningful idled capacity which can be restarted globally. In light of favorable market conditions in North America heading into 2022, the Selma facility will be an important asset in our U.S. silicon platform going forward, particularly with the permanent shut down of our Niagara Falls, New York facility as part of our strategic turnaround plan. The restart of the Selma facility has been a part of our multi-year strategy, and we feel this is an opportune time to commence the process. We thank the State of Alabama for all their support and look forward to welcoming back the workforce.”

“The potential reopening of GMI’s silicon metal facility in Selma reflects the company’s confidence in the future of Alabama’s economy and in the strength of the area’s workforce,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “These growth plans position this historic region of our state for significant new investment and added jobs, and that’s great news for Selma and for the entire state.”

“The Alabama team is fully committed to stimulating economic growth in the state’s rural areas and supportive of GMI’s move to restart its idled facility in Dallas County,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We plan to work with the company to help facilitate its plans, which will provide an economic boost to the Selma community and opportunities for its hard-working citizens.”

About Ferroglobe

Ferroglobe PLC is one of the world’s leading suppliers of silicon metal, silicon- and manganese- based specialty alloys and ferroalloys, serving a customer base across the globe in dynamic and fast-growing end markets, such as solar, electronics, automotive, consumer products, construction and energy.  The Company is based in London.  For more information, visit .

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on certain assumptions of management and describe Ferroglobe’s future plans, strategies and expectations. Forward-looking statements often use forward-looking terminology, including words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “guidance”, “intends”, “likely”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “predicts”, “seek”, “will” and words of similar meaning or the negative thereof.

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All information in this press release is as of the date of its release. Ferroglobe does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect new information, events or circumstances arising after the date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release.

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Gaurav Mehta

Executive Vice President - Investor Relations

MEDIA CONTACT:

Cristina Feliu Roig

Executive Director – Communications, Branding & Public Affairs

Source: Ferroglobe PLC