Degussa and Germanium Corp. Announce Partnership to Supply SiCl4 and GeCl4
Düsseldorf, Germany and Utica, NY -- An innovative partnership to supply silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) and germanium tetrachloride (GeCl4) to the global fiberoptic manufacturing industry has been announced between Degussa AG and the Germanium Corporation of America.
This partnership, effective October 1, 2003, provides the fiberoptic manufacturing market with one reliable and secure source of SiCl4 and GeCl4, enabling improved product quality and customer service. The materials acquisition process is also streamlined since customers can now purchase both materials from one source.
In this partnership, the Germanium Corporation of America will produce the GeCl4 while Degussa performs all sales and marketing services. "Beyond offering the market an optimized procurement process, this partnership creates a system supplier with comprehensive materials expertise," said Claire Mikolajczak, Business Unit Manager, of the Germanium Corporation.
The partnership builds upon Degussa's position as the world's leading supplier of SiCl4 to the fiberoptic industry, and the Germanium Corporation's position as a prime producer of GeCl44 based on their raw materials sourcing and processing expertise. According to Degussa's Dr. Iordanis Savvopoulos, Vice President and Product Line Manager of Chlorosilanes, "This partnership addresses the need in the fiberoptics industry for new joint product developments, assured compatibility of materials, optimized technology, and customer support across a larger part of the process."
The partnership is currently prepared to meet all requirements for SiCl4 and GeCl4 production, logistics and services.
About Degussa
Degussa is a multinational corporation consistently aligned to highly profitable specialty chemistry. With sales of € 11.8 billion and a workforce of some 48,000, it is Germany's third-largest chemical company and the world market leader in specialty chemicals. In fiscal 2002, the corporation generated operating profits (EBIT) of more than € 900 million. Degussa's core strength lies in highly effective system solutions that are tailored to the requirements of its customers in over 100 countries throughout the world. Degussa's activities are led by the vision "Everybody benefits from a Degussa product – every day and everywhere".
About Germanium Corporation
The Germanium Corporation of America (GCA) is a leading source of germanium tetrachloride, germanium oxide, other germanium compounds, germanium metal, and related products and services, worldwide. GCA is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Indium Corporation of America, the world's premiere supplier of indium and indium compounds. Indium Corporation also produces a comprehensive range of specialty solders and alloys, and polymers, for the mechanical and electronics assembly industries.