Market sentiment remains bearish for polysilicon, high-purity quartz sand prices fall

SHANGHAI, Apr 24 (SMM) -

Silica

Price: Silica prices are stable. As the end of the month approaches, silicon companies in the southwest are still not enthusiastic about resuming production. Only a few silicon companies in Sichuan have plans to resume production in May. Raw material procurement is poor and the demand for silica is still weak. The ex-mine price of low-grade silica in Yunnan is 350-370 yuan/ton. At present, the ex-mine price of high-grade silica in Inner Mongolia is 400-420 yuan/ton with the average down 5 yuan/ton. The ex-mine price of high-grade silica in Hubei is 420-480 yuan/ton. The ex-mine price of high-grade silica in Guizhou is 300-340 yuan/ton.

Production: Silica from various mines is normally delivered and supplied according to orders. There is an obvious gap in production.

Inventory: The raw material inventory of a small number of silicon companies in the northwest has been basically consumed. There are plans to shut down for maintenance in May, and the silica inventories at the mines are normal.

Industrial silicon metal

Price: Above-standard #553 silicon in east China is priced at 13,200-13,300 yuan/ton. Downstream demand orders are released and market transactions are improving. The mainstream transaction price in the spot market remains basically stable.

Output: According to SMM statistics, China's industrial silicon output in March 2024 was 366,300 tons, a month-on-month increase of 21,000 tons or 6.2%, and a year-on-year increase of 53,000 tons or 17.1%. In April, small and medium-sized enterprises suffered losses, and reduced production or stopped production for maintenance. Due to approaching flat-water period and losses, few silicon companies in Sichuan resumed production. It is expected that national industrial silicon production will fall below 340,000 tons in April.

Inventory: According to SMM statistics, the national social inventory of industrial silicon totaled 367,000 tons on April 19, a decrease of 3,000 tons from last week. The inventory of general public warehouses was 107,000 tons, a decrease of 7,000 tons from a week earlier, and the inventory of public delivery warehouses is 260,000 tons (including the part that has not been registered as warehouse receipts), an increase of 4,000 tons. Factory warehouse inventory: Inventory showed a slight destocking trend.

Silicone

Price

DMC: The current price is 13300-14000 yuan/ton, and the price fell this week.

D4: The current quotation is 14300-14500 yuan/ton, and the price is stable this week.

107 silicone rubber:The current quotation is 14000-14700 yuan/ton, and the price is stable this week.

110 methyl vinyl silicone rubber：The current price is 14700-15500 yuan/ton, and the price fell this week.

Silicone oil: The current price is 15000-15800 yuan/ton, and the price is stable this week.

Output: Supply increased slightly this week as DMC factories in North China resumed work and production, resulting in a slight increase in supply.

Inventory: The inventory level increased slightly this week. The purchasing intention of downstream enterprises is still relatively low, but as some enterprises are running out of raw materials, it is expected that the transactions will recover in the near future.

Polysilicon

Price

The mainstream prices of N-type polysilicon and dense polysilicon were 48-53 yuan/kg and 42-46 yuan/kg respectively yesterday. Polysilicon prices fell further slightly. Currently, polysilicon orders are signed on a weekly basis and the frequency of price changes is accelerating. There is still room for price decline in the future.

Production

Polysilicon manufacturers have maintained normal production schedules. No large plants have plans to implement maintenance. Domestic polysilicon production in April is expected to be around 180,000 tons.

Inventory

Currently, the downstream adopts a strategy of purchasing in multiple batches and in small quantities. The crystal pulling plants maintain 3-5 days of raw material inventory. The current inventory is stable at around 200,000 tons.

Silicon wafer

Price

The mainstream average traded price of monocrystalline silicon wafer M10 and G12 stood at 1.6-1.7 yuan/piece and 2.1-2.2 yuan/piece respectively. N-type 182 silicon wafer price fell to 1.5-1.65 yuan/piece.

Production

Silicon wafer production is expected to continue to decline in May, with the operating rates of many silicon wafer companies falling to around 50%. Total output is expected to continue to decline.

Inventory

Currently, downstream purchasing enthusiasm is weak and there is no obvious destocking.

High-purity quartz sand

Price

This week, the price of high-purity quartz sand fell. The domestic price of inner layer sand is 200,000-250,000 yuan/ton, the price of middle layer sand is 100,000-130,000 yuan/ton, and the price of outer layer sand is 24,000-80,000 yuan/ton. Enterprises lowered quotes and some companies sold off cargoes amid inventory pressure.

Production

Recently, the domestic supply of high-purity quartz sand has been relatively stable, but imports have continued to grow.

Inventory

In terms of inventory, there were no transactions in the quartz sand market this week. With the downward adjustment of quotations from some companies, downstream companies plan to enter the market to replenish inventory, and inventory levels are expected to start declining in the near future.