SHANGHAI, Nov 9 (SMM) – Operating rates across domestic silicon plants extended their increase in October as production resumed after maintenance. 

The rate came in at 56.8% in October, up 0.7 percentage point from September and up 8.3 percentage points from a year ago, SMM research found. Production of silicon metal stood at 272,000 mt last month, up 1.1% from September and up 13.2% from last year. This brought silicon output in January-October 17.1% higher from 2017, standing at 2.295 million mt.  

In October, operating rates rose across both large-sized and small silicon smelters in Xinjiang, Fujian, and Guizhou provinces. However, middle-sized smelters in southern provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan operated at lower rates as the dry season set in. 

Despite higher electricity prices in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in November, accumulated raw materials will keep local mills operating at relativly high levels till the end of this month. SMM expects the overall operating rate of silicon producers to dip to 54% in November.