News on 2017

News on suppliers, market trends and technology innovations in polysilicon and wafer production is selected, assessed and written for you by Bernreuter Research.

Monthly polysilicon imports into China from December 2016 through November 2017

China’s polysilicon imports in November returned to level of June

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After a seasonal low in October, polysilicon imports into China in November rose to 14,918 metric tons, an increase of 33.8% month over month.

polysilicon chunks

Why the polysilicon spot price is still rising

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Several factors are playing a role in driving up the current polysilicon spot price.

Polysilicon tube filaments from GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT)

GTAT introduces innovation to reduce polysilicon costs by $2/kg

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Equipment supplier GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) has developed tube filaments as an alternative to conventional slim rods for more efficient deposition of silicon from trichlorosilane in rod reactors.

Monthly polysilicon imports into China from November 2016 through October 2017

Weak Chinese polysilicon imports worsened by Wacker shortfall

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Polysilicon imports into China dropped considerably from the record high of 17,628 metric tons (MT) in September to 11,153 MT in October.

Duties on polysilicon imports from South Korea into China (2017 and 2014 tariffs)

China raises duties on polysilicon imports from South Korea

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On November 21, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) announced new duty rates for polysilicon imports from South Korea into China, following a mid-term review that took one year.

Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) of China, press conference on February 9, 2017

Rumor: Duty on Korean polysilicon imports into China below 10%

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Taiwanese market researchers, PVinsights and EnergyTrend have spread rumors that future duties on polysilicon imports from South Korea into China would be set at a rate below 10%.

SMA’s market outlook of global new PV installations 2017 - 2020

SMA: Global PV installations of 98 GW in 2017, 127 GW in 2020

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Major solar inverter manufacturer SMA anticipates 98 gigawatts (GW) of newly installed PV power worldwide in 2017. Its outlook for 2020 is conservative: only 127 GW.

Monthly polysilicon imports into China from October 2016 through September 2017

Another record high for Chinese polysilicon imports in September

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With a volume of 17,628 metric tons (MT) in September, polysilicon imports into China reached the second record high in a row after they had hit 16,141 MT in August.

REC Silicon’s Q3 2017 update on FBR joint venture in Yulin

REC Silicon affirms production start of Chinese joint venture in Q4

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REC Silicon has affirmed that TianREC, its joint venture with Shaanxi Non-Ferrous Tianhong New Energy Co., Ltd., will start up production of (mono)silane and granular polysilicon as planned in the fourth quarter.

Key data of Feroglobe’s UMG silicon plant in Puertollano, Spain

Ferroglobe to build plant for upgraded metallurgical-grade silicon

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Silicon metal producer Ferroglobe has announced it will build a 1,400-ton plant in Puertollano in the Spanish province of Ciudad Real to supply the solar industry with upgraded metallurgical-grade silicon.