Demand for Raw Material Used in Silicon Metal Remains Weak with No Significant Recovery in Prices [SMM Silicon Metal Raw Material Weekly Review]

Published: Mar 20, 2025 16:01 (GMT+8)

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[Overall Demand for Raw Material of Silicon Metal Remains Weak with Slightly Lower Price Trends] The overall demand for raw material of silicon metal has not shown a significant recovery, and the price trends at all stages remain slightly weak.

Silica: Silica prices remained largely stable this week. As silicon plants in the south-west China region have not yet clearly indicated their production resumption times for the rainy season, and some silicon enterprises in Sichuan and Yunnan are jointly seeking electricity price discounts, most production resumption plans remain pending. Therefore, demand for raw material silica remains weak, with no significant recovery in large-scale concentrated demand. Currently, the mine-mouth price of low-grade silica in Yunnan is 330-350 yuan/mt. The mine-mouth price of high-grade silica in Inner Mongolia is 350-380 yuan/mt. The mine-mouth price of high-grade silica in Hubei is 400-450 yuan/mt. The mine-mouth price of high-grade silica in Jiangxi is 430-460 yuan/mt.

Silicon Coal: This week, silicon coal prices in Gansu decreased. At the beginning of the week, silicon coal prices in Gansu fell by 60 yuan/mt. The reason for the price drop was that silicon coal prices in Ningxia had already declined earlier, while silicon coal plants in Gansu were initially determined to stand firm on quotes. However, as the silicon metal market continued to weaken and demand did not significantly recover, silicon coal prices in Gansu could not hold, falling by 60 yuan/mt at the beginning of the week. Currently, the ex-factory price of granular silicon coal in Ningxia is 1,290-1,450 yuan/mt, and the ex-factory price of mixed silicon coal in Ningxia is 1,060-1,090 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of mixed silicon coal in Gansu is 1,030-1,050 yuan/mt, with an average decrease of 60 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of granular silicon coal in Gansu is 1,190-1,210 yuan/mt, with an average decrease of 60 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of silicon coal in Xinjiang is 1,650-1,670 yuan/mt, and the ex-factory price of non-caking silicon coal in Xinjiang is 1,100-1,120 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of silicon coal in Shaanxi is 940-960 yuan/mt.

Petroleum Coke: According to the latest market conditions, the shipment performance of petroleum coke from refineries improved slightly this week, with overall petroleum coke prices remaining at a high level, especially showing a slight improvement in the second half of the week. According to SMM data, the average price of petroleum coke from local refineries is about 2,491 yuan/mt, down 0.28% WoW. Meanwhile, the trading situation for Taipco coke remains sluggish with no significant improvement, and current market quotes are between 1,250-1,300 yuan/mt. Overall, downstream enterprises' purchasing enthusiasm for petroleum coke has increased slightly, with more inquiries, and it is expected that petroleum coke prices will continue to consolidate at a high level next week.

Electrode: Electrode prices remained stable at a low level. The overall demand for raw materials in the silicon industry remains weak, and silicon prices continue to decline. Additionally, the recent price of calcined petroleum coke, a cost factor, has also pulled back, weakening cost support. Prices of electrodes used in silicon production still face significant resistance to increase, and prices have remained largely stable recently. Currently, the ex-factory price of ordinary power carbon electrode (diameter 960-1,100mm) is 7,400-7,800 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of ordinary power graphite electrode (diameter 960-1,100mm) is 11,000-12,000 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of ordinary power graphite electrode (diameter 1,272mm) is 12,000-13,000 yuan/mt. The ex-factory price of ordinary power graphite electrode (diameter 1,320mm) is 13,000-14,000 yuan/mt.

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