News on 2020

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

Polysilicon production volumes of the Chinese top 4 manufacturers (Tongwei, GCL-Poly, Daqo, Xinte) in 2019

Do Chinese associations overstate domestic polysilicon output?

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The 2019 results of the four largest China-based polysilicon manufacturers – Tongwei, GCL-Poly, Daqo and Xinte – reveal enormous discrepancies with numbers published by Chinese industry bodies.

Tongwei’s annual polysilicon production capacities from 2016 through 2021

Tongwei poised to become the world’s largest polysilicon maker

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China-based polysilicon and solar cell manufacturer Tongwei will increase its production capacity from 80,000 to 155,000 tons by late 2021, thus becoming the world market leader.

EBITDA of Wacker’s polysilicon division from 2007 through 2019

Wacker believes in polysilicon business despite likely loss in 2020

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Although expecting a further loss for its polysilicon division in 2020 on par with that in 2019, management of German chemicals group Wacker has expressed confidence in the polysilicon business.

Polysilicon EBITDA margins of Daqo, OCI, Wacker and REC Silicon from Q4 2018 through Q4 2019

Polysilicon manufacturer Daqo on the way to cash costs of $5/kg

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After doubling its production capacity, China-based polysilicon manufacturer Daqo has reached record-low manufacturing costs (including depreciation) of $6.38/kg and cash production costs of $5.47/kg.

Chemical factory of Hanwha Solutions/Chemical Corporation in Yeosu, South Jeolla province, South Korea

Hanwha will also close its polysilicon operations in South Korea

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Following fellow manufacturer OCI, Hanwha Solutions/Chemical Corporation has also decided to abandon its solar-grade polysilicon business in South Korea.

REC Silicon’s fluidized bed reactor polysilicon plant in Moses Lake, Washington at dusk

REC Silicon intends to reopen its polysilicon plant in Moses Lake

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As the Phase 1 trade agreement between the USA and China comes into force on February 15, U.S.-based polysilicon manufacturer REC Silicon intends to restart its plant in Moses Lake.

OCI’s polysilicon plant in Gunsan, South Korea

OCI stops polysilicon production in Korea after hefty impairment

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The price pressure from low-cost Chinese plants forces OCI, the world’s third-largest polysilicon manufacturer, to stop producing solar-grade polysilicon at its factory in Gunsan, South Korea.

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

Chinese media: Bonded trade is only way out of polysilicon duties

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Domestic media speculate that China could allow bonded trade to fulfill its commitment to increasing U.S. polysilicon imports under the Phase 1 trade agreement despite extended duties.

2020 tariffs on polysilicon imports from the USA and South Korea into China

New Chinese polysilicon duties are slap in the face to trade deal

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The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) announced on January 19 that the duties on polysilicon imports from the United States and South Korea will remain unchanged for another five years until 2025.

China’s Vice Premier Liu He (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump present the Phase 1 trade agreement

U.S.-China trade agreement: polysilicon is only on the wish list

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The Phase 1 trade agreement signed by the U.S. and China on January 15 includes solar-grade polysilicon, but the high Chinese import duties on U.S.-made polysilicon remain untouched.