The Silicon in July 2020

Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal Market
In July, low-grade silicon metal took the lead in raising prices. Due to the fact that many downstream factories did not purchase in June, they mainly consumed their inventory. The centralized bidding and placing orders were made by early July. The market is so hot. The price went up with the trend. The market volume increased. In the last ten days of July, the epidemic situation in Xinjiang was serious, the transportation was blocked. The spot goods of silicon metal in the market decreased. The silicon factory had a positive attitude to raise the price. Mainstream transaction prices rose.
Chemical Grade Silicon Metal Market
At the beginning of July, the price of chemical grade silicon metal was still in a downward trend. Many chemical grade silicon factories are hard to accept the low price. At the end of July, the silicon market has formed a strong price rising trend, and the chemical silicon price has been raised actively.
Export Market
In June, the total export volume of silicon metal was 29748 tons, 1327 tons less than the previous month, 4.27% lower, and 48.29% lower than the same period last year. The sharp decline in the export of silicon metal caused by the epidemic situation began to highlight in May. It continued to have a serious impact in June. At present, the international epidemic continues to spread, and the operating rate of foreign terminal factories is not significantly improved, and the re-production factories mainly consume the original inventory.  Foreign businessmen inquire actively when they see the domestic price rise, but the order is rare.
About the Operating and Output Situation
In July, 267 sets of silicon metal plants were put into operation, 7 units were increased on a month on month basis, and 28 units were reduced on a year-on-year basis. The operating rate was 43.84%, up 0.94% month on month; the capacity release was 43.27%, up 0.56% month on month. The monthly output was 183130 tons, with a year-on-year reduction of 29980 tons and a month