Silicon producers in Xinjiang plan for higher production from end-Oct

SHANGHAI, Oct 24 (SMM) – Some silicon mills in Xinjiang, one of China’s major production hubs of the metal, planned to ramp up production between late-October and early-November, after overhaul on idling capacity, SMM learned on October 24. 

The move will be able to plug a shortfall in silicon supply from advanced production cuts in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, due to a shortage of hydropower. 

But this may unlikely to reverse an expected downward trend in overall domestic output in November, SMM estimates. 

With scheduled production cuts, silicon producers in Sichuan and Yunnan raised offers as of October 24, which resulted in a decrease in purchases by traders and downstream consumers.

SMM assessments indicated that spot prices of non-oxidised #553 silicon in east China steadied as of October 24, hovering at a month-high of 10,550-10,600 yuan/mt.