The Walloon region will grant Dow Corning 7.5 million Euros of subsidies to help the company invest in expanded facilities and equipment to support research, development and production of silicon-based materials. The total investment including Dow Corning’s commitment and the Walloon region subsidies will total approximately 36 million Euros while creating up to 75 jobs in the region.
"Recent media coverage shows that our region is well known today for housing successful companies. This is the outcome of our expertise and entrepreneurship that was sometimes missing in the past. I am really delighted that a company like Dow Corning wants to further invest in our region. This investment will also secure the creation of 75 additional jobs in the region which is fantastic news in the current business environment,” commented Jean-Claude Marcourt, Belgian minister for the economy.
“We are very energized by the decision by the Walloon authorities to support growth in this region and to enable Dow Corning to be an active participant in growing innovation and talent in the Seneffe area,” said Michel Rens, Dow Corning Seneffe site manager. “Dow Corning has been innovating and producing materials for 40 years in Belgium and the continued trust and support of Walloon Region are instrumental to sustain and expand our activities here.”
The company recently announced that it will invest up to10.5 million Euros to expand its European capabilities to innovate with silicon-based materials and technologies in Seneffe.
Dow Corning’s expansion plans include the building of a Solar Energy Exploration and Development Center (SEED), which includes two new buildings that will complement the company’s existing Business & Technology Center in Seneffe.
Dow Corning’s request for subsidies was introduced at the end of 2008. Implementation of the subsidies runs over a period of four years, ending in 2012.
Source: http://www.dowcorning.com/