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SILICON METAL

Friday, April 10, 2015

Silicon Metal is known as a semi-metallic or metalloid, having several of the characteristics of metals. It is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen, naturally occurring in various forms of silicon dioxide or silicates and very rarely in its pure form in volcanic exhalations. It takes its name from the Latin Silicus, which means flint.

Silicon is also utilized in the fast growing industries of high speed communication and solar energy. The manufacturing of semiconductor chips, optical fiber and liquid crystal displays is made possible due to the conducting properties of Silicon. Ultra high purity Silicon is being used in the manufacturing of solar panels, making it possible to use the sun’s rays to generate electricity to provide power in a large number of industrial and domestic uses, such as remote telecommunication stations, weather and irrigation projects and street lighting. Silicone compounds are the main raw material for a large and growing number of industrial and consumer products, including silicone rubber parts, urethane foam, sealants, adhesives, lubricants, food additives, coatings, polishes and cosmetics. Silicones are substitutes in many applications for petroleum-based compounds and the demand for silicones benefits from higher oil prices.

USES:

Used mainly in the production of aluminium alloys for foundry, for the automotive and aircraft industries, etc.In the chemical industry, silicon metal is employed for the production of silanes, resines, silicones and lubricants. Silicon metal is also used in the production of super high purity silicon by metallurgical or chemical routes, destined to the manufacture of parts for the segment of advanced electronics, as computers, space communications, defence systems, photo-voltaic panels, etc.

PRODUCTION OF SILICON METAL

On a commercial scale metallurgical silicon metal is produced by the carbothermic reaction of silica (quartz) in an electric arc furnace using carbon electrodes where the temperature in the main reaction zone of temperatures exceeds 1800ºC. Commercially produced metallurgical grade silicon metal is typically Si 98% pure and is notably produced in China, Russia, Brazil, Norway, South Africa and USA.

INDIAN SCENARIO

At present, silicon metal is not produced in India.No new project is under implementation.

Import of silicon metal

Period (April to March)

Import in tonnes

2006-07

25733

2007-08

25523

2008-09

19998

2009-10

24245

2010-11

32052

2011-12

35380

2012-13

36885

DEMAND DRIVERS

The demand for silicon metal would largely be driven by the performance of the end user sectors namely aluminium silicon alloy industry, silicones and electronic grade silicon used semi conductor industry and solar grade silicon used in the photovoltaic cells (solar power).

In India, silicones and polycrystalline silicon (solar grade and electronic grade) are not produced.

Silicones are imported and formulated to suit the consumer requirements.

Similarly, silicon wafers are imported for use in solar panels and semiconductor components. Demand for aluminum has grown steadily in recent years, reflecting increased economic activity in both the developed and developing world, as well as new uses as a lighter, more economical replacement for other materials. Silicon metal consumption by aluminum manufacturers has grown accordingly.

Global scenario

Installed capacity      3.2 million metric tonnes

Global production     2.1 million metric tones

REGION-WISE PRODUCTION

Rgion

in

Production '000 tonne per annum

Americas (Including North and Western Europe

south America)

420

Western Europe

 

357

China

 

1155

Rest of the world

 

168

Total

 

2100

MAJOR GLOBAL PRODUCERS

 

 

 

Name of the company

Location

Installed capacity, TPA

Elkem Silicon Materials

Norway

143,000

Ferroatlantica

Spain, France and South Africa

222,000

Globe Specialty Metals Inc.

USA (Multi location plants)

133,000

**Fesil (Recently acquired by Wacker Chemie)

Trondheim, Norway

 

Zhejiang Kaihua Yuantong Silicon Industry Co

China

100,000

Rima

Brazil

60000

Simco

Australia

34000

Timminco (Advance Metallurgical Group)

USA

48,000

 

 

 

Source: NPCS Team


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