Sibelco, a global materials solutions company, has signed a letter of intent with the U.S. Department of Commerce for up to $56 million in proposed funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. The funding would support research, development, and commercialization activities involving next-generation high-purity quartz processing technologies for semiconductor manufacturing in the United States.
The agreement, announced October 22, 2026, through Sibelco North America, could strengthen domestic capabilities to produce semiconductor-grade, high-purity quartz, a material used in critical components throughout the chip manufacturing process.
The proposed funding would support Sibelco’s U.S. research and development operations, building on the company’s longstanding presence and technical expertise in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
High-purity quartz is an important raw material used to manufacture specialized quartz components for semiconductor fabrication. These components must meet demanding purity and performance requirements because contamination during manufacturing can affect semiconductor production quality and efficiency.
As semiconductor manufacturers expand domestic production capacity, access to reliable supplies of high-purity materials has become increasingly important for supply chain resilience and advanced technology development.
Sibelco’s proposed research program would focus on four areas intended to advance processing efficiency, material quality, and the scalability of semiconductor-grade quartz production.
The first involves next-generation leaching technologies, which are used to remove impurities from quartz materials. Improvements in these processes could support the production of higher-purity materials suitable for increasingly sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing applications.
The second area involves advanced hot chlorination technologies, which provide additional processing capabilities for reducing impurities and improving material purity.
A third component focuses on high-purity quartz product engineering, with research intended to enhance material properties and develop products that meet evolving requirements across semiconductor manufacturing processes.
The fourth area involves establishing a technology piloting and demonstration facility to test, validate, and scale new quartz processing methods and products.
This facility would provide infrastructure for evaluating emerging technologies before broader industrial deployment, helping bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial-scale production.
Together, these activities are intended to support the domestic development of advanced processing technologies and strengthen the availability of critical materials within the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
The proposed award aligns with broader federal efforts under the CHIPS and Science Act to expand semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, strengthen supply chains, and support research and technological innovation in the United States.
The initiative also highlights the importance of North Carolina’s established high-purity quartz industry to advanced manufacturing and national technology infrastructure.
Sibelco expects the proposed funding to accelerate its research and development activities while supporting the continued advancement of specialized materials processing capabilities in the United States.
The agreement remains at the letter-of-intent stage and does not represent a finalized funding award. The proposed financial assistance remains subject to confirmatory due diligence, additional negotiations, and internal U.S. government approvals.
If finalized, the funding would support the development of technologies intended to strengthen the reliability and long-term competitiveness of domestic semiconductor materials production.
KEY QUOTES:
“The Trump Administration is accelerating American semiconductor innovation to enhance our domestic energy and power resources. This investment expands domestic research, secures critical supply chains, and creates high-paying American jobs.”
Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary Of Commerce
“This incentive strengthens America’s semiconductor supply chain and creates significant new opportunities for American workers. Bringing Sibelco’s extraordinary technology to the United States puts American workers at the centre of that critically important industry, one that has vital national security interests at its core. It’s a clear example of how a great Belgian company can help build America’s industrial future. We are so proud of everyone who worked so hard to put this amazing deal together.”
Bill White, U.S. Ambassador To Belgium
“This Letter of Intent represents a significant step for Sibelco and reflects the importance of high-purity quartz within the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain. This proposed award would enable us to accelerate our research and development activities in the United States and build on Sibelco’s long-standing presence and expertise in North Carolina. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Commerce to advance technologies that support a secure and resilient semiconductor supply chain.”
Hilmar Rode, CEO Of Sibelco
