Production Status, Import And Export Situation And Competition Pattern Of China Silicon Metal Industry

Silicon metal, also known as crystalline silicon or industrial silicon, is a trade name that appeared in the mid-1960s. It is mainly used as an additive for non-ferrous alloys. Metal silicon is a product smelted from quartz and coke in an electric furnace. The main component silicon content is about 98% (99.99% of Si content is also included in metal silicon), and the remaining impurities are iron, aluminum, calcium, etc.

 1. Current status of industry output:

Driven by the demand of the photovoltaic industry, the market maintains a high prosperity and the output has increased significantly Since 2021, my country's silicon metal industry has maintained a high boom, and demand has continued to increase, resulting in a sharp increase in output. Data show that in the first half of 2022, my country's silicon metal production will be 1.436 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 26.9%; domestic consumption will be 1.092 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 24.2%. From the perspective of market analysis, my country's silicon metal industry is currently in a booming state, and demand continues to increase, mainly driven by demand from the photovoltaic industry. In the past two years, under the influence of the "dual carbon" strategic policy, my country's photovoltaic industry has developed rapidly. According to statistics, from January to July 2022, China's installed photovoltaic power generation capacity will be 343.51 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 26.7%. The new installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation was 37.73 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 19.79 million kilowatts.

2. Import and export situation: 

The export volume is much higher than the import volume Japan is my country's largest export destination According to the "In-depth Research on the Current Situation of China's Silicon Metal Industry and Future Prospect Forecast Report (2023-2030)" released by Guanyan Report.com, because my country is a major producer of silicon metal, its export volume is much higher than its import volume. The data shows that in 2021, my country's export volume of silicon metal will be 776,200 tons, a year-on-year increase of 27.84%; In terms of amount, the export value is also far greater than the import value. In 2021, the export value of my country's silicon metal will be 2.232 billion US dollars, and the import value will be 14 million US dollars. The difference between the two is 2.218 billion US dollars. From January to June 2022, the export value of my country's silicon metal was 1.249 billion US dollars, and the import value was 192 million US dollars. The difference between the two was 1.057 billion US dollars. In terms of average price, the average price of imports and exports showed a growth trend. However, since 2019, the average import price of my country's silicon metal has gradually exceeded the average export price, which shows that the international competitiveness of my country's silicon metal-related products has weakened. The data shows that in 2021, the average export price of silicon metal in my country will be US$2.88/kg, and the average import price will be US$3.18/kg, with a difference of US$0.31/kg. From January to June 2022, the average export price of silicon metal in my country is US$3.57/kg, and the average import price is US$4.19/kg, with a difference of US$0.62/kg. 

At present, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation, and Mexico are the main export countries/regions of my country's silicon metal. Among them, Japan is the largest exporter of industrial silicon in China in 2021, with an export volume of 186,900 tons and an export value of 600 million US dollars; followed by South Korea and Thailand, with an export volume of 89,275 tons and 70,786 tons, respectively, and an export value of 250 million US dollars US dollars, 200 million US dollars.