Silicon metal production surged 18% MoM in March, supply is expected to pull back again in April [SMM Analysis]

SMM April 2 News: According to SMM market exchanges, silicon metal production in March 2025 reached 342,200 mt, up 51,900 mt or 17.9% MoM, but down 6.6% YoY. Cumulative silicon metal production from January to March 2025 decreased by 120,600 mt or 11.4% YoY. The significant MoM increase in silicon metal production in March was driven by more production days compared to February, as well as the release of additional capacity in Xinjiang, which boosted production. New or resumed capacity in Inner Mongolia and Sichuan also contributed to the increase. Although there were some furnace shutdowns in Qinghai and Yunnan, overall production still showed a substantial increase. In April, some electric arc furnaces in large plants in Xinjiang are expected to reduce or halt production, leading to a MoM pullback in total silicon metal supply. Some silicon companies have indicated that their April production schedules are still undecided, and silicon metal supply is expected to decline significantly in April.