Silicon Plant Lays Off 26 in Butte

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — A Norwegian energy company that owns three polysilicon plants in the United States has laid off 60 employees, including 26 in Butte.

REC Silicon ASA announced the layoffs Wednesday, blaming market weakness and a trade war between the United States and China for the layoffs.

REC Silicon director of operations Rich Green tells The Associated Press the layoffs went into effect immediately and the employees were given a severance package.

Positions were cut in a variety of departments at the REC Sillicon plant southwest of Butte, which employs 294 people.

REC Silicon produces polysilicon and silane gas for the solar and electronics industries.

Green says the company hopes to maintain the same level of production following the layoffs.