WACKER polysilicon production successfully passes IATF 16949 certification

WACKER has achieved another milestone in the continued compliance of its production sites with international quality standards. After receiving IATF 16949 standard certification for part of its silicone production in Burghausen, Germany, and Zhangjiagang, China, its semiconductor-grade polysilicon production facilities in Burghausen, Germany, and Charleston, Tennessee, USA, have now also received the coveted certification.

This underlines WACKER's position as the world's leading supplier of ultrapure polysilicon for semiconductor applications in the electronics and automotive industries. IATF 16949 is a standard developed by the International Automotive Working Group for quality management in the automotive industry. The initial focus of the specification was to establish minimum requirements for organizational structure and quality management systems that automotive suppliers must meet.

Now, two WACKER ultrapure polysilicon production facilities in Burghausen and Charleston have also been awarded this important certificate. According to testing and certification association TUV NORD CERT, the quality management systems of both factories fully comply with the requirements of IATF standards.

"As a market and quality leader, we have been a supplier of ultrapure polysilicon to the major wafer manufacturers in the semiconductor industry," said Tobias Brandis, President of WACKER's Polysilicon Division. "Applications at the highest quality levels place special demands on our materials, including the automotive industry."

"Many of our semiconductor customers are already IATF16949 certified. So, obviously we need to be able to demonstrate that our production processes are also compliant with this standard,” explained Brandis, "This latest IATF certification shows our customers that we are preparing for growing demands and expectations and are setting the benchmark for the industry in terms of quality management systems."

To meet the requirements of IATF standards, WACKER has implemented a number of innovations. For example, all process risks are now assessed through the use of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Measurement procedures are evaluated through measurement system analysis. In addition, a production control plan is developed to monitor all processes and analytical systems.

"The IATF regulations go far beyond previous standards such as IS09001," emphasizes Christian Westermeier, head of quality and customer management at WACKER Polysilicon. "Achieving IATF16949 certification is a clear sign of our commitment to continue improving our quality management system and taking it to the next level."