Sustainability: News about the rapidly growing climate tech sector and other areas of innovation to protect our planet. SEE MOREREC Silicon’s manufacturing site in Moses Lake, Washington. (REC Silicon Photo)Silicon manufacturing company REC Silicon is ceasing operations in Moses Lake, Wash.The Norway-based business announced the move last week. It will lay off 224 workers later this month, according to a new filing with the state’s Employment Security Department made public Monday.The company was an essential draw for next-generation battery materials startups including Group14 Technologies, Sila and OneD Battery Sciences, which are all building manufacturing sites in the Eastern Washington town.REC Silicon is the only company in the U.S. producing silane gas used in silicon battery anodes that significantly improve battery performance.However, in April 2022, South Korean solar panel maker Hanwha Solutions became the largest shareholder of REC Silicon. Hanwha made a deal to take the majority of the silicon being produced at the Moses Lake site, which it uses as polysilicon

Startup down rounds have become more common, though there are signs of life in the market.