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

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In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, U.S.-based polysilicon manufacturer REC Silicon has deferred the sale of its electronic-grade plant in Butte. Its solar-grade plant in Moses Lake remains closed.

Sales, EBITDA and Capex of Wacker’s polysilicon division in Q1 2020 versus Q4 2019 and Q1 2019

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In response to slumping demand for solar-grade polysilicon in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, chemicals group Wacker has reduced the utilization rate of its German polysilicon plants to 70%.

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

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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.

China’s market shares in global production capacity along the PV value chain (solar-grade polysilicon, solar ingot, solar wafer, solar cell, solar module)

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Expecting a decrease in demand in view of the shrinking market outside China, Wacker is planning to cut the 650-strong workforce of its U.S. polysilicon plant by 20 employees or around 3%.

Polysilicon EBITDA margins of OCI, REC Silicon and Wacker from Q3 2018 through Q3 2019

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Polysilicon makers OCI, REC Silicon and Wacker all landed in red territory in the third quarter. Operating EBITDA margins ranged from -3.4% (OCI) to -9.3% (REC Silicon) to -13.3% (Wacker).

Wacker’s U.S. polysilicon plant in Charleston, Tennessee

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Record-low polysilicon prices and inventory valuation adjustments pushed the operating EBITDA margin of Wacker’s polysilicon division to minus 13.3% in the third quarter.

REC Silicon’s silane/polysilicon plant in Butte, Montana

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REC Silicon has announced considerations to sell its second plant, located in Butte in the U.S. state of Montana, which produces silane and electronic-grade polysilicon for the semiconductor industry.

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