The major recent development in the silicon industry is the tripling of demand
for solar grade polysilicon between 2008 and 2010, with the expectation that
the quantity used in solar photovoltaic (PV) modules will start to rival that
in the high volume silicon markets within a few years.
The main markets for silicon metal in 2010 were as an alloying element with
aluminium (45%), in silicone and silane chemicals (35%) and in PV' s (12%). The
market for ferrosilicon is largely in steel (85%) and cast iron (15%), with
very small amounts used in non-ferrous alloys.
Although demand for silicon and ferrosilicon is expected to remain robust in
the coming years, producers are likely to face challenging times due to
overcapacity and rising production costs.
Silicon metal was produced in fifteen countries in 2010, with Chinese
production accounting for about 46% of the world total. Global silicon
capacity utilisation is less than 70%, mainly because of significant
overcapacity in China. World ferrosilicon production capacity, nominally about
9.3Mtpy, is very fragmented, with some 80 companies in 27 countries outside
China (where as many as 1,000 plants are said to exist) reporting capacities
ranging from less than 1ktpy to over 500ktpy. Rising production costs due to
increasing energy prices will see producers attempt to raise market prices,
and/or shut down uneconomic capacity.
Although supplied to very different markets, the prices of silicon and
ferrosilicon follow very similar trends. European and US prices for silicon
metal rose in the second half of 2010 through to March 2011 reaching
US$3,535/t and US$3,616/t respectively, as a supply deficit continued to grow
as demand increased. Over the coming years, prices are likely to continue to
rise as both demand and production costs increase, which could take silicon
prices to US$4,000/t.
World silicon and ferrosilicon production, 1990-2010
Get accurate answers from independent experts
What is the growth rate for solar polysilicon production in China and
elsewhere ?
How will solar use affect the overall market for silicon ?
What is the outlook for for the use of silicon in aluminium alloys and
silicone products ?
To what extent have Chinese exports of ferrosilicon declined ?
What is the outlook for ferrosilicon demand in steel ?
What is the outlook for prices of both silicon and ferrosilicon ?
This report gives you a full analysis of the key trends, issues and
developments in the market, a clear insight into al areas of the industry and
an authoritative analysis of its prospects.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. Summary
1.1. Production
1.2. Consumption
1.3. Prices
1.4. Market outlook
2. Occurrence, history and properties of silicon and ferrosilicon
2.1. Occurrence and resources of silicon
2.2. Properties of silicon
3. Production processes, production costs and grades of silicon and ferrosilicon
3.1. Silicon production processes
3.2. Ferrosilicon production processes
3.3. Silicon and ferrosilicon production costs
3.4. Grades of silicon and ferrosilicon
3.4.1. Silicon grades
3.4.2. Ferrosilicon grades
4. World supply of silicon and ferrosilicon
4.1. Silicon production
4.1.1. Silicon producing companies and capacities
4.1.2. Changes in silicon capacity
4.2. Ferrosilicon production
4.2.1. Ferrosilicon capacities and producing companies
4.3. New projects
5. Notes on silicon and ferrosilicon producing countries
5.1. Argentina
5.1.1. Electrometal Argica Andina SAIC
5.1.2. Globe Metales SA
5.1.3. Industrias Siderurgicas Grassi
5.2. Australia
5.2.1. Simcoa Operations Pty Ltd.
5.2.2. Lithgow silicon project
5.3. Bhutan 1
5.3.1. Bhutan Ferro Alloys Ltd.
5.3.2. SD Eastern Bhutan Ferro Silicon Pvt. Ltd.
5.4. Bosnia-Herzegovina
5.4.1. BSI d.o.o.
5.4.2. Ferrosil d.o.o.
5.5. Brazil 8
5.5.1. Silicon and ferrosilicon producing companies in Brazil
5.15.1.1. Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd. (IMFA)
5.15.1.2. Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Ltd.
5.15.1.3. Silcal Metallurgic Ltd.
5.15.1.4. Snam Alloys Pvt. Ltd.
5.15.1.5. VBC Ferro Alloys Ltd.
5.15.1.6. Other producers
5.16. Iran
5.16.1. Iran Ferroalloy Industries Co.
5.16.2. Iran Ferrosilice Co.
5.17. Italy
5.18. Japan
5.19. Kazakhstan
5.19.1. Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation
5.19.2. Silicium Kazakhstan LLP
5.20. South Korea
5.21. Laos
5.22. Macedonia
5.22.1. Metal Invest EFT
5.23. Netherlands
5.24. New Zealand
5.25. Norway
5.25.1. Silicon and ferrosilicon producing companies
5.25.1.1. Elkem ASA
5.25.1.2. Fesil ASA
5.25.1.3. Wacker Chemie Ag
5.25.1.4. Finnfjord Smelteverk ASA
5.26. Poland
5.26.1. Huta Laziska SA
5.27. Romania
5.28. Russia
5.28.1. Silicon and ferrosilicon producing companies
5.28.1.1. Bratsk Ferroalloy (Mechel)
5.28.1.2. Chelyabinsk Electric Steelworks
5.28.1.3. JSC Kuznetskie Ferroalloys
5.28.1.4. Novolipetsk Steel
5.28.1.5. Rusal
5.28.1.6. Serovsky Ferroalloy Plant
5.28.1.7. Yurga Ferroalloys
5.29. Saudi Arabia
5.30. Slovakia
5.31. Slovenia
5.32. South Africa
5.32.1. Silicon and ferrosilicon producing companies in South Africa
5.32.1.1. Kumba Ferroalloys
5.32.1.2. Rand Carbide
5.32.1.3. Silicon Smelters (Pty) Ltd.
5.32.1.4. Silicon Technology (Pty) Ltd. (Siltech)
5.32.1.5. Siyanda-Inkwali Resources
5.33. Spain
5.33.1. Ferroatlantica SL
5.34. Sweden
5.35. Taiwan
5.36. Turkey
5.37. Ukraine
5.37.1. Silicon and ferrosilicon producing companies in Ukraine
5.37.1.1. Stakhanov Ferroalloy Works
5.37.1.2. Zaporozhye Ferroalloy Works
5.38. UK
5.39. USA
5.39.1. Silicon and ferrosilicon producing companies in the USA
5.39.1.1. CC Metals & Alloys Inc (CCMA)
5.39.1.2. Dow Corning Corp
5.39.1.3. Globe Specialty Metals
5.39.1.4. Northwest Silicon
5.39.1.5. Other producers of silicon and ferrosilicon
5.40. Uruguay
5.41. Venezuela
5.41.1. Ferro Atlantica of Venezuela (Ferroven)
6. Consumption of ferrosilicon and silicon metal
6.1. Consumption of silicon
6.2. Consumption of ferrosilicon
6.3. Consumption of silicon metal and ferrosilicon by use
7. Uses of silicon metal
7.1. Use of silicon metal in aluminium alloys
7.1.1. Markets for silicon-bearing aluminium alloys
7.1.2. Use of silicon-bearing aluminium alloys in transport
7.1.2.1. Motor vehicles
7.1.2.2. Railways
7.1.2.3. Aerospace
7.1.2.4. Marine
7.1.3. Use of silicon-bearing aluminium alloys in machinery and equipment
7.1.4. Use of silicon-bearing aluminium alloys in building and
construction
7.1.5. Use of silicon-bearing aluminium alloys in consumer durables
7.1.6. Use of silicon-bearing aluminium alloys in electricity
7.1.6.1. Electricity transmission
7.1.6.2. Telecommunications
7.1.6.3. Other
7.1.7. Use of silicon-bearing aluminium alloys in containers and
packaging
7.1.8. Uses of silicon-bearing aluminium alloys in other applications
7.1.8.1. Metallurgy
7.1.8.2. Other applications
7.2. Use of silicon in silicones and silanes
7.2.1. Silanes
7.2.2. Silicones
7.2.3. The markets for silicones
7.2.4. Producers of silicone products and intermediates
7.2.4.1. Dow Corning
7.2.4.2. Momentive Performance Materials
7.2.4.3. Wacker-Chimie GmbH
7.2.4.4. Shin Etsu
7.2.4.5. Bluestar Silicones
7.2.4.6. Evonik Industries
7.2.4.7. Chinese producers
7.3. Use of silicon metal in the production of polycrystalline
silicon
7.3.1. Hemlock Semiconductor Group
7.3.2. Wacker Polysilicon
7.3.3. Tokuyama Corp
7.3.4. Renewable Energy Corporation
7.3.5. MEMC Electronic Materials
7.3.6. OCI
7.3.7. Chinese polysilicon companies
7.3.7.1. GCL-Poly Energy
7.3.7.2. LDK Solar
7.3.7.3. Other companies
7.3.8. Other producers
7.4. Use of silicon metal in photovoltaic (solar) cells
7.4.1. Solar wafers
7.4.2. Solar cells and modules
7.5. Use of silicon metal in semiconductors
7.5.1. Production of silicon semiconductor wafers
7.5.2. Markets for silicon semiconductor wafers
7.5.2.1. Silicon integrated circuits - chips
7.6. Other uses of silicon
7.6.1. Iron and steel
7.6.2. Superalloys
7.6.3. Nickel and iron-based alloys
7.6.4. Silicon nitride
7.6.5. Sialons
7.6.6. Silicon nanoparticles
7.6.7. Porous silicon
7.7. Microsilica and silicon carbide (carborundum)
7.7.1. Microsilica
7.7.2. Silicon carbide
8. Uses of ferrosilicon
8.1. Use of ferrosilicon in steel
8.1.1. Comparison of ferrosilicon and crude steel production
8.1.2. Crude steel production
8.1.2.1. Carbon steels
8.1.2.2. Production and consumption of carbon steels
8.1.3. Alloy engineering steels
8.1.3.1. Electrical steels
8.1.3.2. Full alloy steels
8.1.3.3. HSLA steels
8.1.4. Tool and high speed steels
8.1.4.1. Hot-work tool/die and valve steels
8.1.4.2. Cold-work tool steels
8.1.4.3. Carbon tool steels
8.1.5. Stainless steels
8.1.5.1. Production of stainless steel
8.1.5.2. Metallurgy of stainless steels
8.1.5.3. Markets for stainless steel
8.1.5.4. Process industries
8.1.5.5. Building and construction
8.1.5.6. Transport
8.1.5.7. Other
8.2. Use of ferrosilicon in cast iron
8.2.1. Production of cast irons
8.2.2. Metallurgy and applications of cast irons
8.2.2.1. Ductile cast iron
8.2.2.2. Acicular and austenitic grey cast iron
8.2.2.3. White, malleable and pearlitic cast irons
8.3. Other uses for ferrosilicon
9. Analysis of international trade data for silicon and ferrosilicon
9.1. International trade in standard grade silicon metal
9.1.1. Exports
9.1.2. Imports
9.2. International trade in high purity silicon
9.2.1. Exports
9.2.2. Imports
9.3. International trade in >55%Si ferrosilicon
9.3.1. Exports
9.3.2. Imports
9.4. International trade in <55%Si ferrosilicon
9.4.1. Exports
9.4.2. Imports
10. Outlook for silicon metal and ferrosilicon demand and future capacity
10.1. Outlook for silicon
10.1.1. Outlook for silicon in aluminium alloys
10.1.1.1. Transport
10.1.1.2. Machinery and equipment
10.1.1.3. Consumer durables
10.1.1.4. Construction
10.1.1.5. Electrical
10.1.2. Outlook for silicone-based chemicals
10.1.3. Outlook for silicon demand in solar cells
10.1.4. Outlook for silicon demand in semiconductors
10.2. Outlook for ferrosilicon
10.2.1. Outlook for use of ferrosilicon in steel
10.2.2. Outlook for ferrosilicon use in cast irons
10.3. Future silicon metal and ferrosilicon capacity
11. Prices and marketing of silicon and ferrosilicon
11.1. Silicon metal prices
11.1.1. Historic price trends of silicon metal
11.1.1.1. Price trends 1995 to 2003
11.1.1.2. Price trends 2004 to 2011
11.2. Ferrosilicon prices
11.2.1. Historic price trends for ferrosilicon
11.2.1.1. Ferrosilicon price trends 1995 to 2003
11.2.1.2. Ferrosilicon price trends from 2004 to 2011
11.3. Outlook for prices of silicon metal and ferrosilicon
Tables Listing
1. Forecast annual average silicon and ferrosilicon prices, 2011 to
2015
2. Thermal and mechanical properties of silicon
3. Specifications of quartz for silicon and ferrosilicon production
4. Silicon grades
5. Selected typical analyses of ferrosilicon and
ferrosilicon-calcium
6. World: Production of silicon by country, 2001 to 2010
7. World: Production of silicon by principal country, 2001 to 2010
8. World: Silicon production capacity by company, 2010
9. World: Production of ferrosilicon by country, 2001 to 2010
10. World: Production of ferrosilicon by principal country, 2001 to
2010
11. World: Ferrosilicon production capacity by company, 2011
12. World: New silicon and ferrosilicon projects, 2011
13. Argentina: Production, exports and imports of silicon and
ferrosilicon, 2005 to 2010
14. Australia: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon,
2005 to 2010
15. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Production and exports of silicon and
ferrosilicon, 2005 to 2010
16. Brazil: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
17. Brazil: Silicon and ferrosilicon producers, 2010
18. Brazil: Ferbasa: Ferrosilicon production, 2002 to 2010
19. Minasligas: Specifications of silicon and ferrosilicon
20. Canada: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
21. China: Silicon and ferrosilicon production and exports, and
crude steel production, CAGR, 1996 to 2010
22. China: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to
2010
23. China: Selected silicon producers, 2010
24. China: Major ferrosilicon producers, 2010
25. Egypt: Efaco: Production and sales of ferrosilicon and silica
fume, 2007 to 2009
26. France: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
27. France: FerroPem: Silicon and ferrosilicon production, 2006 to
2009
28. France: FerroPem: Plants and capacities, 2011
29. Germany: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
30. RW Silicium: Silicon sales data, 2004 to 2009
31. India: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to
2010
32. India: Selected ferrosilicon producing companies and
capacities, 2010
33. Italy: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to
2010
34. Japan: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to
2010
35. Kazakhstan: Production and exports of ferrosilicon, 2005 to 2010
36. South Korea: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon,
2005 to 2010
37. South Korea: Imports of silicon and ferrosilicon by principal
source countries, 2005 to 2010
38. Macedonia: Production and exports of ferrosilicon, 2005 to 2010
39. Netherlands: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon,
2005 to 2010
40. Norway: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
41. Norway: Silicon and ferrosilicon producing companies and
capacities, 2010
42. Poland: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
43. Russia: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
44. Russia: Silicon and ferrosilicon producers, 2010
45. Slovakia: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
46. Slovenia: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
47. South Africa: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon,
2005 to 2010
48. South Africa: Silicon and ferrosilicon producers, 2010
49. Spain: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to
2010
50. Sweden: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
51. Taiwan: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
52. Kuo Lung Ferro-Silicon Mfg: Ferrosilicon product specifications
53. Ukraine: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005
to 2010
54. Ukraine: Production of ferrosilicon by selected companies, 2007
to 2010
55. UK: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to
2010
56. USA: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to
2010
57. USA: Producers of silicon and ferrosilicon, 2010
58. Venezuela: Supply and disposal of silicon and ferrosilicon,
2005 to 2010
59. World: Apparent consumption of silicon by region, 2002 to 2010
60. World: Apparent consumption of ferrosilicon by region, 2002 to
2010
61. USA: Reported consumption of silicon metal and ferrosilicon by
use, 2000 to 2008
62. Brazil: Reported consumption of ferrosilicon by the steel
industry, 2001 to 2009
63. India: Reported1 consumption of ferrosilicon by industry, 1997
to 2008
64. Reporting countries: Production of aluminium casting, 2000 to
2009
65. USA and Canada: Producer shipments of aluminium by product,
2001 to 2009
66. World: Estimated silicon content of aluminium output by region,
2002 to 2009
67. USA: Shipments of aluminium to the transport industry by sector
and product, 2000 to 2009
68. Compositions of the major aluminium alloys used in motor
vehicles
69. Applications of aluminium alloys containing silicon in
automobiles
70. World: Production of passenger vehicles, 2001 to 2010
71. World: Production of light commercial vehicles by country, 2001
to 2010
72. Approximate composition of selected civil and military aircraft
73. World: Active fleet of commercial jet aircraft1, 2010
74. USA: Shipments of aluminium to selected construction industry
sectors, by type of product, 2000 to 2009
75. USA: Shipments of aluminium for use in consumer durables, 2000
to 2009
76. World: Production of polysilicon capacity by producer, 2003 to
2011
77. World: Production of solar cells by country, 2007 to 2010
78. World: Production of solar cells and modules by major company,
2009
79. USA: Reported1 consumption of ferrosilicon in steel by type of
steel, 1993 to 2008
80. World: Average annual periodic growth rates of crude steel
production by region, 1980 to 2010
81. World: Crude steel production by region, 2001 to 2010
82. Crude steel production by principal steelmakers, 2009 and 2010
83. Compositions of typical full alloy steels containing silicon
84. Compositions of air cooled microalloy forging steels
85. Silicon content in selected HSLA steels
86. SAE grades for HSLA steel
87. Selected countries: Production of tool and high speed steel,
2000 to 2007
88. Selected high-speed steels
89. Selected silicon-bearing hot-work die steels
90. Selected siliconbearing cold work tool and die steels
91. World: Production of stainless steel by region, 2001 to 2010
92. Major new stainless steel projects, 2010
93. USA: Reported consumption of ferrosilicon in cast irons, 1993
to 2008
94. World: Production of cast irons by type, 1992 to 2009
95. World: Production of cast iron by country, 2001 to 2009
96. Compositions for typical cast irons
97. International trade in silicon and ferrosilicon, 2005 to 2010
98. Reporting countries: Exports of silicon metal (<99.99%Si),
2005 to 2010
99. Reporting countries: Exports of silicon metal (<99.99%Si),
by country of destination 2010
100. Reporting countries: Imports of silicon (<99.99%Si), 2005
to 2010
101. Reporting countries: Imports of silicon (<99.99%Si) by
country of origin, 2010
102. Reporting countries: Exports of high purity silicon
(>99.99%Si) by country, 2005 to 2010
103. Reporting countries: Exports of high purity silicon metal by
country of destination 2010
104. Reporting countries: Imports of high purity silicon by country
of origin, 2005 to 2010
105. Reporting countries: Imports of high purity silicon by country
of origin, 2010
106. Reporting countries: Exports of ferrosilicon (>55%Si), 2005
to 2010
107. Reporting countries: Exports of ferrosilicon (>55%Si) by
country of destination, 2010
108. Reporting countries: Imports of ferrosilicon (>55%Si) 2005
to 2010
109. Reporting countries: Imports of ferrosilicon by country of
origin (>55%Si), 2010
110. Reporting countries: Exports of ferrosilicon (<55%Si), 2005
to 2010
111. Reporting countries: Exports of ferrosilicon (<55%Si) by
country of destination, 2010
112. Reporting countries: Imports of ferrosilicon (<55%Si), 2005
to 2010
113. Reporting countries: Imports of <55%Si ferrosilicon by
country of origin, 2010
114. World: Forecast demand for silicon and ferrosilicon, 2015
115. World: Forecast demand for new silicon metal in aluminium
alloys by market, 2010 and 2015
116. World: Crude steel production forecast, 2010 to 2015
117. World: Crude Stainless steel production forecast, 2010 to 2015
118. World: New silicon and ferrosilicon projects, 2011
119. Silicon: Europe free market and Chinese annual average month
end spot prices, 1999 to 2011
120. USA: Annual average dealer import prices for silicon metal
(1%Fe 50t lots), 2000 to 2011
121. USA: Annual average North American transaction price for
50%Si, and US dealer import price for 75%Si ferrosilicon, 2000 to 2011
122. Europe and China: Ferrosilicon (75%Si) annual average month
end spot prices 1997 to 2011
123. Forecast annual average silicon and ferrosilicon, 2011-2015
Figures Listing
1. World: Production of silicon metal and ferrosilicon, 1990 to 2010
2. World: Annual change in production of silicon metal and
ferrosilicon, 1990 to 2010
3. Western world: Average silicon production costs, 2000 to 2010
4. Division of silicon production costs in China, 2009
5. Division of silicon production costs in the Western world, 2009
6. China and the rest of the world: Production of ferrosilicon and
silicon, 2010
7. World: Production and annual changes in silicon production, 1985
to 2010
8. World: Trends in silicon production and GDP, 1986 to 2010
9. Cumulative change in silicon production in China and the rest of
the world, 1997 to 2010
10. World: Production of silicon by principal country, 2000 to 2010
11. World: Estimated division of production of silicon by major
country, 2010
12. Capacities of principal silicon producing companies, 2010
13. World: Ferrosilicon production, 1985 to 2010
14. World: Production of ferrosilicon, 2000 to 2010
15. World excluding China: Production of ferrosilicon, 2001 to 2010
16. World: Division of ferrosilicon production by principal
country, 2010
17. Capacities of principal ferrosilicon producing companies, 2010
18. Brazil: Production and exports of silicon and ferrosilicon,
1990 to 2010
19. China: Production of silicon, ferrosilicon and crude steel,
1996 to 2010
20. China: Silicon and ferrosilicon exports as a proportion of
production, 1996 to 2010
21. France: Production, exports and imports of silicon and
ferrosilicon, 2000 to 2010
22. Norway: Production and exports of silicon and ferrosilicon,
1998 to 2010
23. Russia: Production and exports of silicon and ferrosilicon,
1993 to 2010
24. Russia: Silicon and ferrosilicon production indices, and export
proportions
25. USA: Production, net imports and apparent consumption of
silicon, 1990 to 2010
26. USA: Production, net imports and apparent consumption of
ferrosilicon, 1990 to 2010
27. World: Division of apparent consumption of silicon by principal
country, 2010
28. World: Apparent consumption of silicon by region, 2005 to 2010
29. World: Division of apparent consumption of ferrosilicon by
principal country, 2010
30. World: Apparent consumption of ferrosilicon by region, 2005 to
2010
31. World: Consumption of silicon by application, 2010
32. World: Consumption of ferrosilicon by application, 2010
33. USA: Reported consumption of ferrosilicon in steel and cast
iron, 1993 to 2008
34. Reporting countries: Production of cast aluminium by principal
country, 2000 to 2009
35. World: Approximate division of aluminium consumption by major
market, 2010
36. China: Estimated use of aluminium by major application, 2010
37. USA: Division of aluminium shipments by product and major
market, 2009
38. World: Estimated division of silicon metal consumption in
aluminium alloys by market, 2010
39. World: Division of production of passenger cars and light
commercial vehicles by region, 2010
40. World: Production of cars and light commercial vehicles by
region, 2000 to 2010
41. World large jet aircraft active fleet by manufacturer, 2010
42. World: Commercial jet aircraft delivery, 1980 to 2010 (number
of aircraft)
43. USA: Division of market for silicones by form (value basis),
2009 and 2014
44. World: Approximate shares of silane/silicone production by
value, 2010
45. World: Production of solar cells by type, 2007 to 2009
46. World: Division of use of ferrosilicon in iron and steel, 2010
47. World: Comparison of trends in crude steel production and
ferrosilicon production, 1985 to 2010
48. World: Comparison of growth rates of ferrosilicon and crude
steel production, 1986 to 2010
49. World: Crude steel and ferrosilicon production growth rates,
1985-2010
50. World: Correlation between ferrosilicon and crude steel
production, 1985 to 2010
51. World: Production of crude steel and year-on-year changes, 1981
to 2010
52. World: Crude steel production by region, 2001 to 2010
53. Comparison of growth rates in crude steel production in
principal regions, 1980 to 2010
54. Division of world production of crude steel by region, 2010
55. World: Production of stainless steel, and year-on-year change,
1992 to 2010
56. World: Production of stainless steel by region, 2001 to 2010
57. China and the rest of the word: Cumulative changes in stainless
steel production, 2000 to 2010
58. World: Consumption of stainless steel by application, 2010
59. World: Approximate division of production of cast irons by
major country, 2009
60. Exports of silicon metal (<991.99%Si) by principal
countries, 2005 to 2010
61. Division of world exports of silicon metal (<99.99%Si) by
principal country, 2010
62. Imports of silicon (<99.99%Si) by principal countries, 2005
to 2010
63. Division of imports of silicon (<99.99%Si) by principal
country, 2010
64. Exports of high purity silicon metal by principal countries,
2005 to 2010
65. World: Division of exports of high purity silicon metal by
principal country, 2010
66. Imports of high purity silicon metal by principal countries,
2005 to 2010
67. World: Division of imports of high purity silicon metal by
principal country, 2010
68. Exports of >55%Si ferrosilicon by principal country, 2005 to
2010
69. Division of exports of >55%Si ferrosilicon by principal
country, 2010
70. Imports of >55%Si ferrosilicon by principal country, 2005 to
2010
71. Division of imports of >55%Si ferrosilicon by principal
country, 2010
72. Exports of <55%Si ferrosilicon by principal countries, 2005
to 2010
73. World: Division of exports of <55%Si ferrosilicon by
principal countries, 2010
74. Imports of <55%Si ferrosilicon by principal country, 2005 to
2010
75. Division of imports of <55%Si ferrosilicon by principal
country, 2010
76. World: Primary energy forecast, 2010 to 2100
77. Comparison of US import prices for silicon and ferrosilicon,
1977 to 2011
78. USA: Monthly high and low annual prices for dealer import
silicon (1%Fe 50t lots), 1977 to 2011
79. European free market and Chinese fob export prices for standard
grade silicon, 1999 to 2011
80. USA: Mean monthly price for standard grade silicon, 2000 to
2011,
81. Comparison of mean monthly prices for standard grade silicon,
2008 to March 2011
82. US average annual import prices for ferrosilicon delivered,
1977 to 2011
83. USA: Monthly prices for 50%Si and 75%Si ferrosilicon, 2000 to
2011
84. Europe and China month end spot prices for 75%Si ferrosilicon,
1997 to 2011
85. Comparison of average monthly prices for 75%Si ferrosilicon,
2008 to March 2011
86. Forecast annual average prices for silicon and ferrosilicon,
2011 to 2015
Silicon and Ferrosilicon: Global Industry Markets and Outlook, 13th edition 2011 published by Roskill Information Services, Ltd. in May 31, 2011. This report consists of 268 pages and the price starts from US $ 5400.
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Press Release
Sun shines on the silicon market
August 2nd, 2011
The major recent development in the silicon industry is the tripling of demand for solar grade polysilicon, with the expectation that the quantity used in solar photovoltaic (PV) modules will start to rival that in the high volume silicon markets within a few years. Furthermore, high value solar grade silicon allows much higher profit margins than the bulk markets.
Global Information, Inc. would like to present a new market research report, "Silicon and Ferrosilicon: Global Industry Markets and Outlook, 13th edition 2011" by Roskill Information Services, Ltd..
Silicon recovering from the impact of the global recession
After contracting sharply in 2009, global demand for both silicon and ferrosilicon recovered in 2010 to about 1.8Mt and 7.4Mt (gross wt) respectively. In 2010, China was the largest consumer of silicon products, due primarily to growing demand for steel and aluminium products.
World production of silicon metal increased from about 1.1Mt in 2001 to 1.76Mt in 2010, mainly because of increasing Chinese output. Silicon metal was produced in fifteen countries in 2010, and Chinese production accounted for about 46% of the world total.
Mainly because of over capacity in China, some of which is used seasonally, world silicon production capacity is about two third utilised.
World production of ferrosilicon in 31 countries totalled about 7.1Mt in 2010, recovering from 6.1Mt in 2009.
Aluminium and steel still largest end-uses for silicon and ferrosilicon
The main markets for silicon metal in 2010 were as an alloying element with aluminium (45%), in silicone and silane chemicals (35%) and PV (12%). The market for ferrosilicon is largely in steel (85%) and cast iron (15%), with very small amounts used in non-ferrous alloys, dense media and other applications.
Although most aluminium products and components contain some silicon, the bulk is added to cast aluminium used in automobile engine components. Cast aluminium alloys contain up to 23%Si, and typically 7%Si, and account for over 80% of silicon metal consumption in aluminium alloys.
Most silicon consumed by steel makers is in the form of 50%Si and 75%Si grade ferrosilicon, with 75%Si grade prevailing. The term silicon steels generally refers to those carbon steels containing above 0.4%Si.
Silicon market outlook bright due to solar cells
In 2010, solar photovoltaics were generating electricity in more than 100 countries, and are the fastest growing power-generation technology in the world. Grid connected solar capacity was about 30GW at the beginning of 2011, still a tiny fraction of the 5TW (terawatt) of total global power-generating capacity. Between 2004 and 2010, grid-connected solar capacity increased at an annual average rate of 60%. Off-grid solar installations account for about an additional 4GW.
Driven by advances in technology and scale, the cost of solar power installations has declined steadily, and financial incentives, such as preferential feed-in tariffs for solar-generated electricity and government subsidies for new installations, have supported solar installations in many countries.
As costs of both producing solar grade silicon and generating solar energy fall, demand for silicon will rise. As the solar energy market expands and matures, growth rates of 50% to 60%py will become less common, but in the period up to 2015, an average growth rate in demand for silicon of 20%py is likely, resulting in a market of about 535kt.
Although demand for silicon in solar energy will increase sharply, we expect the largest end-uses for silicon metal and ferrosilicon to remain in aluminium and steel, respectively.
Growth in demand for silicon as an alloying element in aluminium will continue to depend largely on the use of cast aluminium components by the worlds automobile industries. Increased global demand for all forms of silicon-bearing aluminium alloy in the medium term will largely depend on the expansion of Asian economies, as automobile production, electrification and construction grow. As a result of this expected demand, silicon consumption in aluminium alloys is expected to grow by around 5% per year over the next five years.
Demand for ferrosilicon in steel will be driven by rising steel production in emerging markets, particularly in the BRIC countries, with total world crude steel production forecast to grow by an annual average rate of 5-6% through to 2015.
Although falling sharply in 2009, silicon prices have reacted strongly over the latter half of 2010 and early 2011, getting back to the record levels seen in early 2008 In the longer term, assisted by anti-dumping duties in both the USA and Europe and high power costs in China, there appears to be no reason why silicon prices should not remain above US$3,000/t, possibly moving towards US$4,000/t from 2013 onwards.
