SHANGHAI, June 21 (SMM) - Cargo holders raised the prices intensively, and silicon metal prices rose significantly last week. Prices of 553# silicon without oxygen stood at 17,300-17,400 yuan/mt in east China, up 1,550 yuan/mt or 10% on the week. 553# silicon with oxygen traded between 18,000-18,200/mt, up 1,600 yuan/mt or 10% on the week. 3303# silicon prices were 19,300-19,400 yuan/mt, up 1,050 yuan/mt or 6% on the week. The market sentiment improved as the prices of silicon without oxygen increased.

The silicon metal market was active and silicon factories increased the quotations slightly amid the procurement of traders and the release of the downstream demand. In addition, silicon factories strongly expected the prices to rise further because the quotations of large-scale factories in north China rose significantly. Some silicon factories actively delivered the orders that were sufficient while some suspended the quotations or quoted high as they were reluctant to sell.

Judging from the market transaction situation, a small number of aluminium alloy enterprises rarely made procurement as they were worried that silicon prices will rise too fast, while most enterprises mainly purchased as needed due to the weak demand from downstream die-casting companies. In terms of silicone, there was a small amount of supplementary orders. At the same time, the cost pressure on the silicone enterprises was huge as the prices of 421# silicon rose rapidly. In addition, the silicone prices may decline due to the poor sales of DMC. On the polysilicon side, the transactions were good amid the release of bidding orders last week. In addition to the three major downstream sectors, the transactions were also good due to the orders from the domestic traders and export traders.

On the supply side, silicon plants in Dehong Zhou, Yunnan Province, resumed the production and the operating rates increased while the operating rates in other producing areas changed little. At present, silicon metal factories still actively increased the quotations. It is expected that the silicon prices will increase slightly this week and the prices may gradually stabilise in the later period as traders take profits to ship and silicon factories are also more willing to ship.