SHANGHAI, Sept. 16 (SMM) --

Supply:

Silicon metal producers in Liangshan resumed production due to recent rainfall in Sichuan province, but drought continues in most regions in south China, with low operating rates reported.

Demand:

Affected by price decline of polysilicon in August, prices for trichlorosilane were near production costs. In this context, many producers reduced or halted production, reducing demand for silicon metal powder. The overall polysilicon and organic silicon production chains were sluggish. It is expected that production of aluminum alloy will improve in September, and operating rates at aluminum alloy producers are expected to return above 70%. However, demand for silicon metal will not increase in recent two weeks.

At present, domestic demand for silicon metal has not increased significantly, and demand for silicon metal is relatively stable. SMM expects that silicon metal prices will advance slightly before Chinese National Day holiday.

Forecast:

SMM expects that mainstream traded prices at Huangpu port will be around RMB 13,70/mt for #553 silicon metal, RMB 14,300/mt for #441 silicon metal, RMB 15,300/mt for #3303 silicon metal and 16,300/mt for #2202 silicon metal in the following week.