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.

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.

Shares of main polysilicon importers in China 2012 through 2017

Section 201 trade case: New hope for Hemlock and REC Silicon?

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Employees of the U.S.-based polysilicon manufacturers Hemlock Semiconductor and REC Silicon have urged U.S. President Trump in two letters to seek a solution for the U.S. polysilicon industry in the trade conflict with China.

Polysilicon tube filaments from GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT)

GTAT introduces innovation to reduce polysilicon costs by $2/kg

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Equipment supplier GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) has developed tube filaments as an alternative to conventional slim rods for more efficient deposition of silicon from trichlorosilane in rod reactors.

Monthly polysilicon imports into China from November 2016 through October 2017

Weak Chinese polysilicon imports worsened by Wacker shortfall

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Polysilicon imports into China dropped considerably from the record high of 17,628 metric tons (MT) in September to 11,153 MT in October.

Hemlock Semiconductor’s polysilicon plant in Hemlock, Michigan (USA)

Polysilicon maker Hemlock Semiconductor to lay off 100 workers

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U.S.-based Hemlock Semiconductor, once the world’s largest polysilicon manufacturer, has announced that it will lay off 100 employees, most of them in the first quarter of 2018.

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

REC Silicon curtails production of solar-grade polysilicon in Butte

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U.S.-based manufacturer REC Silicon has curtailed production of solar-grade polysilicon at its facility in Butte, Montana and will focus on electronic grade for the semiconductor industry there.

Charleston residents protest against Wacker’s communication policy after hydrogen explosion at its polysilicon plant

Wacker: U.S. polysilicon plant shutdown will take several months

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After a hydrogen explosion has damaged its U.S. polysilicon plant, Wacker expects it will take several months until the plant is restarted. The company’s communication policy has sparked harsh criticism in the local community.

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