In August, the scheduled production of PV wafers increased, and the price center of high-purity quartz sand shifted downward

Silica

Price: The price of silica remains stable for the time being. The downstream silicon enterprises' demand for raw silica remains relatively low. Under the influence of low silica prices, some silicon enterprises in south-west China plan to reduce the procurement price of silica to control costs. The sentiment of pressing down the price of high-grade silica may further increase, but currently, the price of silica at the mine remains stable. At present, the ex-factory price of low-grade silica in Yunnan is 340-360 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of high-grade silica in Inner Mongolia is 380-400 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of high-grade silica in Hubei is 420-480 yuan/mt.

Production: The silica mines mostly ship according to orders, with little change in production. However, due to weak demand, the supply side is relatively loose.

Inventory: Some silicon enterprises in south-west China plan to purchase low-price silica to replenish their inventory and reduce production costs. Many small silicon enterprises in north China have reduced production and undergone maintenance, making it difficult to have any demand for raw silica replenishment in the short term.

Silicon Metal

Price: The spot price of silicon metal remained stable this week. Yesterday, SMM's east China above-standard #553 silicon metal was priced at 11,700-11,800 yuan/mt, and #421 silicon metal was priced at 12,200-12,400 yuan/mt. Both price increases and decreases are difficult, with traders showing little intention to stockpile. The market mainly sees transactions based on downstream users' needs.

Production: In late July and early August, some small silicon enterprises in certain production areas began maintenance, impacting the August silicon metal production. The monthly output is expected to decrease MoM.

Inventory: According to SMM statistics, as of August 2, the national social inventory of silicon metal totaled 476,000 mt, up 11,000 mt WoW. Among them, the social general warehouse held 125,000 mt, up 0.4 WoW, and the social delivery warehouse held 351,000 mt (including parts not registered as warrants), up 7,000 mt WoW.

Silicone

Prices

DMC: Current price is 12,900 yuan/mt - 13,600 yuan/mt, prices remained stable this week.

D4: Current price is 14,000 yuan/mt - 14,500 yuan/mt, prices remained stable this week.

107 silicone rubber: Current price is 13,200 yuan/mt - 14,000 yuan/mt, prices remained stable this week.

Methyl vinyl silicone rubber: Current price is 13,400 yuan/mt - 14,200 yuan/mt, prices remained stable this week.

Silicone oil: Current price is 14,500 yuan/mt - 15,300 yuan/mt, prices remained stable this week.

Production: Recently, domestic silicone production has increased. New capacity has stabilized after multiple maintenance sessions, and products are being steadily released.

Inventory: Inventory slightly increased this week. Domestic downstream procurement has not yet started in early August. Although some DMC plants have increased prices recently, downstream willingness to accept is relatively average, with a wait-and-see attitude prevailing.

Polysilicon

Prices

Yesterday, the mainstream prices for N-type polysilicon were 38-43 yuan/kg, and the mainstream prices for dense polysilicon were 35-38 yuan/kg. This week, polysilicon prices have increased, but high-priced crystal pulling factories have not yet taken orders, and the market is in a state of contention.

Production

This week, the expected supply is 31,000 mt. Currently, polysilicon producers have shown mixed changes in August. Overall, domestic polysilicon supply is expected to fall below 140,000 mt.

Inventory

Polysilicon inventory remained relatively stable from a week ago, with no large orders for delivery in the market, mostly fulfilling historical orders.

PV wafer

Prices

The market price for N-type 18X PV wafers is 1.08-1.1 yuan per piece, and for N-type 210 PV wafers, it is 1.55-1.6 yuan per piece. The market price for N-type PV wafers, mainly 183, has shown a decline.

Production

Currently, statistics show that more than four producers increased PV wafer production MoM in August, and scheduled production is expected to continue rising. However, the subsequent scheduled production and sales strategy of a leading producer may change, becoming one of the uncertainties in PV wafer supply in August.

Inventory

Due to the procurement pressure from solar cell producers, PV wafer inventory has seen a slight increase. Currently, the scheduled production of PV wafers in August still faces inventory pressure compared to solar cells.

High-purity quartz sand

Price

This week, the price of high-purity quartz sand remained stable. The domestic price for inner layer sand was 65,000-85,000 yuan/mt, for middle layer sand was 35,000-50,000 yuan/mt, and for outer layer sand was 19,000-30,000 yuan/mt. Currently, the negotiation phase between upstream and downstream enterprises is ongoing, with the center of quotations gradually shifting downward, but the overall quotation range has not changed.

Production

Recently, new domestic production capacities have gradually come online, mostly for middle and outer layer sand production lines, with domestic supply continuously increasing.

Inventory

Weekly quartz sand inventory is still slightly increasing. Crucible producers have not yet entered the market for procurement and are mainly observing.