[Ferro-Alloys.com] Europe's silicon market continued to recover in February, with prices hitting more than five-year highs this month and silicon producers reaping the rewards.

 

European prices for silicon metal were assessed at €2,100-2,200/t ddp for 5-5-3 grade silicon metal on 2 March, their highest since May 2015. Prices are up by almost 9pc from the start of February, when they stood at €2,030-2,100/t ddp. Prices for 4-4-1 grade metal were also up, by 9.3pc to €2,200-2,300/t ddp on 2 March, from €2,100-2,200/t ddp on 1 February.

 

EU imports of silicon from China began to decline in the second half of 2020. The average monthly volume of silicon imported from China fell to 4,282t in the second half of 2020, down by 11pc from a monthly average of 4,826t in the first half, according to trade data. The EU imported just 3,908t of silicon metal from China in December, 14pc lower than the monthly average of 4,554t for 2020.

 

Ferroglobe's silicon metal deliveries rose to 54,912t in the fourth quarter of 2020, up by 7.2pc from 51,215t in the third quarter and by 15pc from 47,884t in the second quarter. Elkem's silicon products division revenue increased by 19pc in the fourth quarter and sales volumes for silicon products at the Norwegian producer were at an all-time high, although the firm did not provide specific figures. Average price indexes in the EU and US increased by 7.2pc and 2.6pc, respectively, Ferroglobe said.

 

Both producers expect robust demand and prices throughout the first quarter of 2021, with Ferroglobe chief executive Marco Levi noting low inventories at European chemical and aluminium producers and a re-stocking of the supply chain. Elkem confirmed that demand for its silicon products remains strong this quarter.

 

Source: ArgusMetals