Highland Materials, a US-based manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon, has announced an investment of over $1 billion to build an advanced manufacturing facility in Hawkins County, Tennessee. According to Highland Materials, the facility will be located at the Phipps Bend Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Campus on 140 acres leased from Pivotal Manufacturing Partners. Pivotal Manufacturing Partners had acquired the land at the former Phipps Bend Nuclear Plant site earlier this year. The plant is planned to produce ultra-pure polysilicon for PV, semiconductor, and aluminum/silicon alloy industries. Highland Materials has stated that its patented purification technology enables 50% lower capital costs and 40% reduced operating costs compared to conventional methods. It also allows more than 50% less power use and a 90% cut in carbon emissions. The site was selected for its TVA-owned high-power transmission interconnect and strategic location. It also offers a development-ready industrial setting and nuclear-era infrastructure for large-scale precision manufacturing.