Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has announced a $7.87 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund to DSM Semichem LLC. This grant will support the expansion of DSM's specialty materials and chemicals facility in Plainview, bringing the company's total investment to $176 million and creating 40 new jobs.

Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of strategic investments to secure critical domestic supply chains, stating, "This $176 million total capital investment by DSM to construct and expand its facility in Plainview will double their production volume of specialty materials essential for semiconductor manufacturing in Texas."

DSM, formed through a partnership involving Dongjin USA, Samsung C&T America, and Martin ELSA Investment LLC, produces electronic-level sulfuric acid. This material is vital for its purity and ability to clean wafers used in semiconductor manufacturing without leaving impurities, a critical process for high-performance computing, 5G, artificial intelligence, and defense sectors.

DSM Semichem LLC Managing Director Tae Yong An expressed gratitude for the grant: "This funding will accelerate the expansion of our electronic-level sulfuric acid plant in Plainview, enabling Texas to produce the highest quality ELSA in America and meet the increasing demand of domestic leading-edge fabs."

Senator Charles Perry highlighted the investment's significance, saying, "This investment is a big win for Texas and a testament to our state’s leadership in securing critical supply chains." Representative Ken King added, "DSM's expansion will create good-paying jobs, strengthen our local economy, and ensure that materials for chip production are made right here in House District 88."

The Texas CHIPS Act, signed into law by Governor Abbott in 2023, established the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium. These initiatives, managed by the Texas CHIPS Office, focus on promoting Texas' leadership in semiconductor research and manufacturing and encourage industry growth within the state.