Industrial silicon (silicon metal), also known as metallic silicon and crystalline silicon, is obtained by reducing silica with a carbonaceous reducing agent in an ore-fired furnace. It is an important raw material for the production of organic silicon, polysilicon and aluminum alloys. It is the core raw material for important industries in the national economy such as photovoltaics, automobiles, construction, and textiles.
Silicon is a semi-metal with a gray metallic luster. It is the first variety listed on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange on December 22, 2022.
The supply side of industrial silicon is mainly affected by power resources and raw material supply. Since the production of each ton of industrial silicon requires about
11,000-13,000 kWh of electricity, economic production capacity mainly exists in areas with abundant power resources and low electricity prices. For the two major production areas of Yunnan and Sichuan, June to November each year is the flood season, the local hydropower resources are abundant and the flood season electricity price is implemented, the production cost of industrial silicon decreases and the supply increases; from December to May of the following year is the dry season, the power supply is insufficient, the production cost of industrial silicon increases, and the supply decreases. Industrial silicon production in Xinjiang is relatively stable due to the use of thermal power, and the start-up is mainly affected by the supply of raw materials.
The demand for industrial silicon is mainly affected by the downstream off-peak season and the commissioning of new downstream production capacity. The off-peak and off-peak seasons of organic silicon and aluminum alloy basically overlap. Usually, February-March and July-August are the off-seasons, while September-October and December-January of the following year are the peak seasons. Another downstream polysilicon start-up is relatively stable, and its production capacity and industry changes are mainly affected by industry profits and photovoltaic industry policies.
Post time: Feb-04-2025