News on solar grade

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

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.

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.

Price changes in the solar value chain (polysilicon, wafer, cell, module) in the first quarter of 2021

Why the spot price for polysilicon is going through the roof

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In the first quarter, the spot price for solar-grade polysilicon soared by nearly 50% – from US$11 to more than $16 per kg. Solar cell manufacturers played a key role in the price rally.

Polysilicon plant of OCI in Bintulu, a coastal city in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia

OCI’s polysilicon business mainly depends on customer Longi

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OCI’s Malaysian polysilicon subsidiary has signed a three-year supply contract with Longi, the world’s largest solar wafer maker. The volume of 77,700 tons will fill OCI’s production capacity for the most part.

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

More job cuts at U.S. polysilicon maker Hemlock Semiconductor

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U.S.-based polysilicon manufacturer Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation will lay off 50 employees, the company announced internally on June 18.

REC Silicon defers sale of Butte plant, keeps Moses Lake closed

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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

Wacker starts short-time work at its German polysilicon plants

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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

REC Silicon intends to reopen its polysilicon plant in Moses Lake

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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.

Polysilicon EBITDA and Operating Margins of OCI and Wacker from Q1 2018 through Q4 2019

Opinion: OCI hoists white flag against Chinese state capitalism

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The Korean polysilicon manufacturer OCI abandons a market volume of 50,000 tons despite a competitive electricity rate for its plant in Malaysia. Johannes Bernreuter, Head of Bernreuter Research, comments on the decision.

OCI’s polysilicon plant in Gunsan, South Korea

OCI stops polysilicon production in Korea after hefty impairment

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The price pressure from low-cost Chinese plants forces OCI, the world’s third-largest polysilicon manufacturer, to stop producing solar-grade polysilicon at its factory in Gunsan, South Korea.

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