Silicon Plants in Yunnan’s Dehong to Restart Production Soon, SMM Reports

The silicon metals prices skyrocketed in September and started to fall after the National Day holiday in October. The prices of oxygen-free 553# silicon basically lost all the gains in September, and the prices of high-grade silicon was relatively firm.

This is a roundup of China's metals weekly inventory as of October 15.

The silicon metal prices surged broadly by over 120% in September from the previous month, with 553# silicon with oxygen leading the gains. As of September 30, 553# silicon with oxygen in east China stood at 59,000 yuan/mt, up 154% on the month. The short supply of spot amid extensive power rationing in Yunnan and Sichuan was the main reason for the short-term surge of prices. While the production costs also increased on the back of rising prices of raw materials such as clean coal, supporting the silicon metal prices as well.

SMM data showed that China's refined zinc output stood at 508,900 mt in August, down 1.22% on the month and 0.04% on the year. Output from January to August was 4.04 million mt, a year-on-year increase of 4.47%. Alloy output at domestic refined zinc smelters in SMM’s survey sample registered 75,500 mt in August, up 80 mt on the month.

The maintenance starts from Nov 15

Traders and downstream consumers in China’s silicon market held back from buying in May in anticipation of growing supply.

Offers of chemical-grade silicon dipped on Thursday May 17 as transactions were few

Rizhao Steel in Shandong province is putting one of its hot-rolled coil production lines in maintenance for 18 days from May 27, SMM learned.

Jiangsu Shente Steel plans to extend its maintenance of a 450m³ furnace by 10 days after April 30, when the maintenance was originally set to complete. About 2,000 mt daily output of molten iron will

Jiujiang Pinggang Iron and Steel has put one of its 1,780m³ blast furnace in maintenance on Monday April 16, SMM learned.