Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has announced a significant development for the semiconductor industry in Texas, with a $7.87 million grant extended to DSM Semichem LLC. This funding is the sixth of its kind from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund. It will support DSM's expansion of their specialty materials and chemicals facility in Plainview, resulting in a total capital investment of $176 million and the creation of 40 new jobs.

Governor Abbott emphasized the strategic importance of this investment, stating, "Texas is making strategic investments to ensure the stability of critical domestic supply chains for the technologies that fuel our economy." He noted that the expansion would double DSM's production of essential materials for semiconductor manufacturing and create "40 good-paying jobs for Texans."

DSM Semichem is a collaboration between Dongjin USA, Samsung C&T America, and Martin ELSA Investment LLC, specializing in electronic-level sulfuric acid (ELSA). This chemical is crucial for cleaning wafers in chip manufacturing, important for industries like high-performance computing and defense. Tae Yong An, Managing Director of DSM, expressed gratitude for the grant, stating, "This funding will accelerate the expansion of our electronic-level sulfuric acid plant in Plainview."

Support for the investment was echoed by local leaders. Senator Charles Perry called the expansion "a big win for Texas," highlighting its benefits for national security and economic strength. Representative Ken King praised the job creation and economic boost for House District 88.

The Texas CHIPS Act, signed into law by Governor Abbott in 2023, paved the way for programs like the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund. These initiatives aim to solidify Texas' role in semiconductor research and manufacturing.

"Texas continues to lead the way in securing our nation’s semiconductor supply chain," remarked Representative Ken King, emphasizing the strategic relevance of the investment in Plainview.