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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GIllVPctksxEowi4nIQwRR5bcVuAFVvjsTf4UpHW3hBhIpBNPiosSLUYk+sTPGWK
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000945436-09-000016.txt : 20090122
<SEC-HEADER>0000945436-09-000016.hdr.sgml : 20090122
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090122170642
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000945436-09-000016
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090122
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090122

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHELES MICHAEL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001374863

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13828
		FILM NUMBER:		09539743

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		636-474-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 PEARL DRIVE
		CITY:			ST PETERS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63376

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000945436
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				561505767
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 PEARL DRIVE
		STREET 2:		P. O. BOX 8
		CITY:			ST. PETERS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63376
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6364745000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 PEARL DRIVE
		STREET 2:		P. O. BOX 8
		CITY:			ST. PETERS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63376
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-20</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000945436</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WFR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001374863</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHELES MICHAEL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 8</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. PETERS,</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63376</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP IT &amp; CIO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3362</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pursuant to the terms of the security, 2,500 of the 5,000 Restricted Stock Units granted on January 23, 2008 were forfeited by the reporting person because pre-established company earnings targets for 2008 were not met, as determined by the Committee. The remaining 2,500 Restricted Stock Units will vest in 50% increments on January 23, 2011 and January 23, 2013.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael Cheles</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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