FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of September 2002
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-7239
KOMATSU LTD.
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Translation of registrant's name into English
3-6 Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Address of principal executive offices
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
1. A company announcement made on September 2, 2002
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
KOMATSU LTD.
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(Registrant)
Date: September 2, 2002 By: /s/ Kenji Kinoshita
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Kenji Kinoshita
Executive Officer
September 2nd, 2002
For Immediate Release
Komatsu Ltd.
2-3-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 107-8414, Japan
Corporate Communications
Tel: (+81) 3-5561-2616
URL:http://www.komatsu.com/
Agreement Signed for Establishment of Joint Venture to Produce Polycrystalline
Silicon for Solar Applications
Advanced Silicon Materials LLC (ASiMI), a subsidiary of Komatsu Ltd. and a
manufacturer of polycrystalline silicon, and Silicon Technologies AS, a
subsidiary of Renewable Energy Corporation AS (REC) of Norway, have signed a
definitive agreement to establish a joint-venture company dedicated to the
manufacture and sale of polycrystalline silicon for solar applications. Under
the name of Solar Grade Silicon LLC (SGS), the joint venture will start
operations with 50:50 equity participation in September.
SGS expects to launch production of polycrystalline silicon for solar
applications in November of this year, after optimizing the production
technologies for polycrystalline silicon licensed by ASiMI for solar
applications at the Moses Lake Plant which ASiMI will contribute to the joint
venture. SGS also plans to develop fluidized bed technology to produce granular
polycrystalline silicon at a lower cost with a targeted completion date of not
more than three years. ASiMI will have the right to use the technology in the
polycrystalline silicon business for electronic applications.
As REC will finance SGS's technology development program and a majority of its
working capital requirements, it is expected that ASiMI's equity holding ratio
in the joint venture will decline in the future, falling to 25% in three years.
Mr. Michael W. Kerschen, President of ASiMI, commented, "Establishment of this
joint venture should bring substantial merits to both ASiMI and REC. ASiMI will
obtain technology development opportunities and 150 employees of the Moses Lake
Plant will be able to keep their jobs."
Dr. Alf Bjorseth, President of REC, explained, "This joint venture is the
world's first polycrystalline silicon manufacturer exclusively focused on solar
applications, and thus means a momentous step forward for the solar industry. It
will also play an important role for REC to expand its business as a solar
energy company."
Outline of Advanced Silicon Materials LLC
Head Office: Butte, MT, U.S.A.
Line of Business: ASiMI is a leading producer of ultra-high purity
polycrystalline silicon, and the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of
silane gas. Both products are integrated through a unique core technology to
create a base material for silicon wafers and devices produced by the
semiconductor industry.
(end)