SHANGHAI, Aug 21 (SMM) – Xintao Silicon Industry in Xinjiang, China’s major production area for silicon, has commissioned a submerged-arc furnace and may generate output on Wednesday August 21, a source told SMM on August 21. 

Three more submerged-arc furnaces will come online at the plant within the next few days. 

A pick-up in silicon prices improved margins at silicon producers, after losses across high-costs capacity triggered cutbacks in July. 

As of Wednesday August 21, trades of non-oxidised #553 silicon in east China occurred at 10,300-10,400 yuan/mt, up 300 yuan/mt from the start of August, SMM assessed.