Taylor, TX — A South Korean semiconductor materials supplier is moving forward with plans for its first U.S. manufacturing operation and American headquarters in Central Texas, adding another major investment to the growing semiconductor industry surrounding Samsung’s Taylor operations.
Soulbrain RASA TX LLC plans to manufacture high-purity chemicals used during semiconductor production at its facility in Taylor.
The project has received an $11.6 million Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant, with state records identifying approximately $120.3 million in capital investment and at least 20 high-skilled jobs associated with the grant.
But Taylor city documents show Soulbrain’s longer-term plans could be considerably larger.
Two phases are contemplated:
• Phase I — approximately $175 million: A phosphoric-acid manufacturing plant and supporting facilities.
• Phase II — approximately $400 million: A hydrofluoric-acid manufacturing plant and supporting facilities.
Together, the two phases represent a potential investment of approximately $575 million, according to City of Taylor documents related to the project’s tax-abatement agreement.
Phase I is expected to provide capacity for approximately 28,800 metric tons of high-purity phosphoric acid annually, a specialized chemical used for cleaning and etching semiconductor wafers.
State construction filings also describe production, warehouse and administrative facilities planned along Logistics Loop East in Taylor.
The project is not yet confirmed to be under construction. The City of Taylor recently indicated that Soulbrain has an approved site plan and has applied for an expedited building permit. State environmental records also show an air-permit application associated with the facility.
Soulbrain’s arrival represents another piece of the semiconductor supply chain establishing operations in the Taylor area as Central Texas develops into a major U.S. chip-manufacturing hub.
The company’s Taylor operation is planned as both its first U.S. production facility and its U.S. headquarters.