Ferro Expands Fine Silver Production Capacity

Ferro Corporation’s Electronic Materials business has announced it is expanding production capacity for electronic grade silver powder and silver flake at its South Plainfield, NJ facility. The expansion is resulting from installation of additional production lines and new process automation at South Plainfield. Ferro expects the facility improvements will increase silver production capacity by 30%. The upgrades are due to be completed by July 2011.

Global demand for electronic grade silver powder and flake with ultra-fine particle size is growing in several industries, including solar panels, high-definition displays, membrane touch screens and semiconductor components. The small particle size enables the printing of extremely fine conductive lines that help improve performance and reduce costs.

“This capacity expansion and upgrade will enable Ferro to meet our customers’ increasing demand for electronic grade silver products,” said Michael J. Murry, operating vice president of Ferro’s Electronics, Color and Glass Materials Group. “Ferro is committed to providing leading edge products for advanced technology industries. This investment will allow us to better serve these important growth markets.”