BRIEF: MEMC's Texas plant shut temporarily by gas leak

Apr. 25--A gas leak Thursday at MEMC Electronic Materials Inc.'s facility near Houston sent 18 people to nearby hospitals for evaluation and treatment.

The O'Fallon-based company said a faulty transfer line from a transport vehicle caused the release of silicon tetrafluoride, a raw material is uses in manufacturing. MEMC's makes silicon wafers used electronic applications and solar batteries.

The company said the gas leak was contained by the plant's emergency response team and there was no off-site impact.

MEMC said it expects the plant to resume production today. It does not expect any financial impact as a result of the accident.

In early April, a maintenance shutdown at the Texas plant cut its output by 20 percent. MEMC said a buildup of chemical deposits at the plant forced it to spend more time on cleaning. The shutdown reduced MEMC's first quarter revenue to about $502 million from its initial expectation of $560 million.

cboyce@post-dispatch.com -- 314-340-8345

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