MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. delivered a $1.48 billion fourth-quarter loss driven mainly by restructuring costs and asset writedowns.

The loss wasn't unexpected. The O'Fallon, Mo.-based maker of silicon wafers for the solar and semiconductor industries in December announced a massive corporate reorganization, including a 20-percent cut in its workforce and plans to scale back polysilicon output.

The company said last month that the timing of some SunEdison solar energy projects and adverse tax effects would lead to a wider-than-expected loss.

On a per-share basis, the loss equaled $6.44 a share compared with net income of $12.6 million or 5 cents a share in the same period a year earlier, MEMC said in a statement on Wednesday after the close of regular trading. Revenue fell 16 percent to $717.8 million.

Excluding restructuring asset impairments and other non-recurring costs, MEMC lost $48.9 million or 21 cents a share.

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Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated MEMC's net income in the fourth quarter of 2010.