Jan 30, 2007 19:39
Nikkei Electronics Asia
Rolls-Royce plc and Metalysis
Ltd will set up one of the largest tantalum plants outside Britain in
Malaysia by September 2007. The plant, located at the Kulim Hi-Tech
Park in the northern state of Kedah, is expected to have an annual
capacity of 100 tonnes of high purity tantalum powder per
year when fully operational, equivalent to about 10% of global
production.
A Malaysian
subsidiary, Metalysis Malaysia Sdn Bhd, has been formed to lead the
R&D using the Fray-Farthing-Chen (FCC) Cambridge process to
produce the supergrade tantalum.
Tantalum is a
high-value metal used in the production of electronic components, and
is mainly used in capacitors, mobile phones, PCs and automotive
electronics. The FFC process, developed by academics at Cambridge
University's Materials Department, is a novel method for the extraction
of metals and alloys from their solid oxides by molten salt
electrolysis.
The new process is
claimed to be simpler and consumes less energy, making it more
environmentally-friendly than many current industrial technologies,
such as the Kroll process. It helps achieve cheaper production of
useful reactive metals such as titanium, zirconium and tantalum.
Metalysis Ltd is a
Cambridge University spin-off company set up in 2002 to exploit the
industrial process based on the FFC technology. According to Metalysis
chief executive, Dr Graham Cooley, "Tantalum powder is a first product
for the company and a good platform upon which to build strong revenue
growth in future."
Supporting MalaysiaRolls-Royce is funding the
R&D facility with US$5 million, in support of the country's
industrialization efforts.
"We are particularly
pleased to have been able to secure the development of this
leading-edge technology exclusively to Malaysia, as a further
demonstration of our long-standing commitment to the country. Malaysia
is a key market for Rolls-Royce and we look forward to continuing a
long and rewarding relationship," said Rolls-Royce chief executive, Sir
John Rose.
Malaysia's Deputy
Prime Minister Najib Razak said Rolls-Royce has provided Malaysia with
an entry point into the global advanced materials market. "We hope to
see more companies setting up such ventures in Malaysia to take
advantage of the competitive cost and contribute to the enhancement of
our technological capabilities," he said.
Metalysis Ltd will
hold a 52% stake in the joint venture while Rolls-Royce and the
government-funded Malaysian Technology Development Corp (MTDC) will
each have a 24% stake in Metalysis Malaysia.The Malaysian government (via
MTDC) plans to raise an additional US$10 million to finance the
production facility in Kulim. by Julian
MatthewsWebsites:Arima: www.arima.com.tw
E-ten: www.etencorp.com
Gigabyte:
www.gigabyte.com.tw
HTC:
www.htc.com
Infineon:
www.infineon.com
Metalysis:
www.metalysis.com
Rolls-Royce:
www.rolls-royce.com
SiRF:
www.sirf.com
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