News on 2021

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

The ten most popular posts from Bernreuter Research on LinkedIn in 2021

The top 10 posts from Bernreuter Research on LinkedIn in 2021

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New entrants in China, the FBR project of GCL and news on non-Chinese polysilicon manufacturers are the most popular themes among the top ten posts from Bernreuter Research on LinkedIn in 2021.

Curve of the polysilicon spot price in 2021

First rays of light at the end of the polysilicon high-price tunnel

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After a massive price surge during 2021, signs are piling up that the polysilicon price is about to come down from its high level of US$36/kg. But a new price increase could follow in 2022.

Chemical factory of Hanwha Solutions

Hanwha invests in REC Silicon – “First step to US value chain”

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The US$160 million investment of Hanwha Solutions, the world’s sixth largest solar module supplier, in U.S. polysilicon maker REC Silicon only makes sense with new wafer production capacity.

Xinte Energy’s polysilicon plant in Urumqi, Xinjiang region, China

Xinte responds to silicon metal price spike with captive smelter

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Chinese transformer maker TBEA will build a 200,000-ton silicon metal factory in Inner Mongolia by the end of 2022 in order to secure the feedstock for its polysilicon subsidiary Xinte Energy.

Polysilicon EBITDA margins of Daqo, Wacker, OCI and REC Silicon from Q3 2020 through Q3 2021

Increase of polysilicon EBITDA margins slowing at a high level

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Polysilicon manufacturers Daqo, Wacker and OCI compensate the price spike of silicon metal feedstock and still increase their high margins, driven by strong demand in the third quarter.

Granular polysilicon from the fluidized bed reactor plant of Jiangsu Zhongneng, a subsidiary of GCL-Poly Energy Holdings

Expansion of GCL-Poly’s granular polysilicon capacity delayed

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Jiangsu Zhongneng, a subsidiary of GCL-Poly, is behind schedule with expanding its fluidized bed reactor capacity for granular polysilicon in Xuzhou, but the existing plant is running at full speed.

Arabinda Ghosh (left), designated Chairman and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor, and Ken Collins, site leader of Wacker Chemical Corporation’s polysilicon and pyrogenic silica plants in Charleston, Tennessee

New leadership at U.S. polysilicon makers Wacker and Hemlock

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Ken Collins is new site leader of Wacker’s polysilicon plant in Charleston, Tennessee while Arabinda Ghosh will follow Mark Bassett as CEO of competitor Hemlock Semiconductor at year’s end.

Chairman Mukesh Ambani at the annual general meeting of Reliance Industries Limited on June 24, 2021

Will India’s plans for polysilicon production get real this time?

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Reliance, Adani and two other bidders are each proposing a 4 GW solar factory that is fully integrated from polysilicon production through wafer, solar cell and module manufacturing in India.

Session on polysilicon and wafer supply at the PV CellTech online conference on August 26, 2021

In-depth talk on polysilicon market at PV CellTech conference

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On August 26, the second day of the PV CellTech 2021 online conference will feature an in-depth discussion with polysilicon expert Johannes Bernreuter, Head of Bernreuter Research, on key market issues.

Polysilicon EBITDA margins of Daqo, OCI, Wacker and REC Silicon from Q2 2020 through Q2 2021

Price rally drives polysilicon EBITDA margins beyond 40%

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While non-Chinese polysilicon manufacturers OCI and Wacker enjoy high margins, Xinjiang-based Daqo New Energy has already announced the next major expansion to 270,000 tons in China by the end of 2024.