News on Hanwha

Court documents fuel suspicion that Hanwha’s acquisition of U.S.-based silane and former polysilicon manufacturer REC Silicon at a fraction of its original value has followed the script for a corporate raid.

After a massive investment, the U.S.-based manufacturer will shut down the production of granular polysilicon at its plant in Moses Lake, Washington. The decision raises some questions.

After a steep drop in 2020, polysilicon imports into China recovered somewhat in 2021. According to Chinese customs statistics, imports grew to 114,203 metric tons, an increase of 13.3% year over year.

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.