News on USA

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

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

US-China trade talks in focus after duties on EU polysilicon expire

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The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has terminated duties on polysilicon imports from the European Union. Now U.S. President Trump has asked government staff to draw up a potential deal in the trade conflict with China.

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

Wacker feels the brunt of the polysilicon market downturn

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The EBITDA margin of Wacker’s polysilicon division has become razor-thin: In the third quarter of 2018, the ratio slumped to just 2.5%, down from 16.2% in the previous quarter and 24.9% in the prior year period.

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

REC Silicon keeps the lights on at polysilicon plant in Moses Lake

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U.S.-based polysilicon manufacturer REC Silicon has stopped speculation that its plant in Moses Lake, Washington could be closed.

REC Silicon’s fluidized bed reactor polysilicon plant in Moses Lake, Washington with vehicle at night

REC Silicon blames layoffs on trade war – that’s only half the truth

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U.S.-based polysilicon manufacturer REC Silicon has blamed the layoff of 100 employees on the trade dispute, but it is more a response to the slump of global demand in the wake of China’s cap on domestic PV installations.

Judge gavel

Hemlock Semiconductor sues Solargiga over contract breach

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Polysilicon producer Hemlock Semiconductor takes legal action against Wealthy Rise International, an indirect subsidiary of Chinese integrated monocrystalline module maker Solargiga Energy Holdings.

Polysilicon rod grown on tube filament

GTAT’s tube filaments for polysilicon rods debuted at SNEC show

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U.S.-based GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) for the first time showcased polysilicon rods grown on tube filaments at SNEC, the world’s largest solar trade show, in Shanghai in late May.

Reopening ceremony for Wacker’s U.S. polysilicon plant in Charleston, Tennessee with Dr. Tobias Brandis, Dr. Rudolf Staudigl, Mary Beth Hudson, Dr. Peter-Alexander Wacker, and David Wilhoit (from left)

Wacker restarts U.S. polysilicon plant after eight-month halt

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After investigating the cause of the hydrogen explosion that occurred on September 7, 2017 and repairing the damaged equipment and building, Wacker has restarted production at its U.S. polysilicon plant near Charleston.

Factory of Solarworld in Arnstadt, Thuringia

Solarworld files for insolvency for the second time in ten months

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Only seven and a half months after emerging from insolvency proceedings in August 2017, German PV module producer Solarworld Industries GmbH has filed for insolvency again.

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

Faulty piston caused explosion at Wacker’s U.S. polysilicon plant

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According to the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a faulty piston in a hydrogen compressor has caused the explosion at Wacker’s U.S. polysilicon plant. 

Monthly polysilicon imports into China from February 2017 through January 2018

Growing mono wafer makers fuel polysilicon imports into China

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After the low in December, polysilicon imports into China surprisingly surged to an unusually large volume of 16,261 metric tons in January, an increase of 29.7% month over month.