Exclusive: China's silicon metal output stood at 189,000 mt in May

SHANGHAI, Jun 8 (SMM) – SMM data showed that China's silicon metal output stood at 189,000 mt in May, down 4.2% from the previous month. The increase in maintenance capacity in Xinjiang and power curtailment and production cut in Yunnan affected the output in May.

The output of silicon plants in Xinjiang decreased due to periodic maintenance. Power curtailment caused the Yunnan silicon plants to reduce production. Only three submerged arc furnaces opened in Yunnan by the end of May. Time of resumption of production in Yunnan during the flood season was later than previous years. Although Sichuan was in the flood season, most of the silicon plants resumed production at the end of May, leading to less production release in May. In addition, the opening of some silicon plants in Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and other places slightly contributed to the increase.

The arrival of the rainy season in Yunnan, the resumed production of silicon plants in Sichuan, and the restoration of maintenance capacity in Xinjiang will jointly drive the increase in silicon metal output in June, which is expected to increase to around 230,000 mt.