IHS sees polysilicon price jumping on PV demand from China

Polysilicon prices are expected to rise to USD 19 (EUR 17) per kg by April because of an expected rush to complete solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in China before a cut to feed-in tariffs (FiTs), IHS projects.

Korean producers now account for nearly half of polysilicon imports in China and players from other Asian countries have also managed to increase their market share at the expense of US polysilicon producers. The latter have been hit hard by trade disputes and have even been forced to close factories.

In February, before the Chinese New Year celebrations, polysilicon prices were at about USD 12 per kg, on average. IHS expects them to rise by nearly 60% by April. Karl Melkonyan, solar supply-chain analyst for IHS Technology, said that “it is highly unlikely that polysilicon prices will continue increasing in the second half of the year, but a flat pricing outlook is certainly a possibility, if demand remains as high as previously forecast”.

Overall, consolidation within the polysilicon industry continues around the globe, shows IHS supply-chain analysis. Just a few producers have plans to boost their capacity this year.

In February REC Silicon ASA (STO:RECO) said it will shut down the Silane IV unit and remaining Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR) production at its plant in Moses Lake, Washington due to the ongoing solar trade war between the US and China. Silane III, which was shut down in July 2015, will also remain out of production until the trade conflict is resolved.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.892)

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