The Trump government, via the Handel, Bureau of Industry and Security department, and the Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security, has a sec. 232 Research into the polysilicon industry. The investigation was first launched on July 1, but only made public until July 14.
Credit: Hemlock
The government wants to determine the effects on the national security of the import of “Polysilicon and its derivatives”. Polysilicon is used in silicon solar panels and semiconductors. An investigation under sec. 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 enables the federal government to impose rates on imported products if they are considered a threat to national security. Steel and aluminum import has been met with SEC. 232 rates since 2018.
The trade department has asked public comments About the demand for polysilicon in the United States and whether domestic production can meet such a demand.
Solar Power World Earlier, a research article about the market for solar polysilicon in the United States wrote, a story that one National Journalism Award For reporting. The production of polysilicon in the United States was essentially stripped during the China-America Trade War of the years 2010. The ‘Big Three’ American Polysilicon producer-Hemlock, Wacker and REC Silicon saws Krimpen Krimpen from $ 1 billion in 2011 on American’s high tasks after China had high tasks. China has since overtaken the global market, now an estimated one 93.5% market share.
Hemlock and Wacker still produce polys silicon in the Untied States, both for the solar and electronics markets, but REC Silicon has since stopped. New Company Highland Materials tries to start a polysilicon production factory in Tennessee. There are also a handful of non-China players who contribute to the solar industry, including OCI in Malaysia and the German factory of Wacker.
Chinese polysilicium input is already under sec. 301 rates of 50%. Sec. 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 enables the government to respond to foreign commercial practices that tax or limit US trade.
The US government accepts comments on this investigation until August.
