May 26, 2025 – Huntsman Bolsters Semiconductor Chemicals Portfolio with Conroe Plant Expansion
Global chemical leader Huntsman Corporation has unveiled a major investment to expand its specialty products facility in Conroe, Texas, targeting soaring demand for ultra-high-purity chemicals in the global semiconductor industry. The move addresses critical raw material needs for advanced-node chip manufacturing, where purity standards are pivotal to performance.
At the heart of the expansion lies a new E-GRADE® production unit designed to supercharge Huntsman’s capacity in semiconductor-grade chemicals. The system focuses on synthesizing amine-based products—including quaternary amines and oxide amines—with trace metal impurities minimized to parts-per-trillion levels. These chemicals are indispensable in semiconductor fabrication, playing key roles in processes like wafer cleaning, photoresist development, and etching, where precision directly impacts chip yield and reliability.
According to industry sources, Huntsman has anchored the project on principles of safety, quality, and manufacturing excellence. From raw material blending and purification to final packaging, every step adheres to stringent protocols to ensure batch-to-batch consistency. The company’s proprietary process controls are said to reduce variability by 30% compared to conventional methods, a critical advantage for semiconductor manufacturers demanding zero-defect materials.
Peter Huntsman, Chairman, President, and CEO of Huntsman Corporation, emphasized the strategic timing of the investment: “The exponential growth of AI technologies and demand for high-performance semiconductors necessitate this expansion. By doubling down on Conroe, we’re not only advancing next-generation semiconductor-grade products but also fortifying supply chain resilience for customers worldwide.”
Huntsman’s E-GRADE® electronic chemicals portfolio has already gained traction in semiconductor and flat-panel display manufacturing. These solutions enable safer, eco-friendly alternatives for critical processes such as silicon wafer rinsing, photolithography stripping, and dry etching. By replacing legacy chemicals with low-toxicity, biodegradable formulations, Huntsman claims to reduce hazardous waste generation by up to 45% in fabs, aligning with the industry’s push toward carbon-neutral production.
Analysts project the expansion could position Huntsman as a top-three supplier of semiconductor amines by 2027, capitalizing on a market expected to grow at 12% CAGR through 2030. The move also underscores the company’s pivot toward specialty chemicals, where margins exceed commodity segments by 200 basis points.
With this initiative, Huntsman reaffirms its role as a key enabler of the semiconductor ecosystem, bridging the gap between cutting-edge chip design and sustainable manufacturing practices.