4um: Silicon Metal's 300% Price Surge Throws Another Wrench In Global Supply Chains

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Title: Silicon Metal's 300% Price Surge Throws Another Wrench In Global Supply Chains
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URL Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/commoditi ... her-wrench-global-supply-chain
Published: Oct 4, 2021
Author: Tyler Durden
Post Date: 2021-10-04 07:14:05 by Horse
Keywords: None
Views: 121
Comments: 2

"If you have silicon supply constraints, then you've got a problem."
Poster Comment:
Electricity Bills In Italy Rise By Almost 30 Percent From Friday
Households and businesses in Italy will be paying more for electricity and gas from Friday with another steep price rise at the start of the third quarter, despite government measures to limit the increase.
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/electricity-bills-italy-rise-almost-30-percent-friday
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#1. To: Horse (#0)
Nice article, a lot of useful info! www.siulaudarba.lt/

Siulau Darba posted on 2021-10-04 7:33:52 ET Reply Trace Private Reply
#2. To: Horse (#0)
what is silicon metal?

Silicon metal is an industrial additive produced by smelting quartz and coke in an electric heating furnace. It consists of 98% of silicon, although the composition of silicon has increased as close to 99.99% silicon in recent years. Impurities in silicon metals mainly include iron, aluminum, and calcium. Silicon metal is used as a feedstock in the production of silicones, aluminum alloys, and semiconductor materials. Based on its application, silicon metals are offered in various grades, namely, metallurgical, chemical, electronics, polysilicon, solar, and high purity grades. The production of various grades of silicon metal starts with the refining process of silica within quartz rock or sand, followed by a carbothermic reduction of silica that occurs in an arc furnace to produce metallurgical grade silicon. This is then further refined through a hydro-metallurgical process to produce chemical-grade silicon. Chemical-grade silicon metal is majorly used in the production of silicones and silanes. Metallurgical silicon is 99% pure and is used in steel smelting and aluminum alloys.
The global silicon metal market is presently driven by various factors such as increase in demand for aluminum alloys in the automotive industry, expanding application spectrum of silicones, demand from energy storage markets, and a steady demand from the global chemical industry. A major chink of silicon metal is currently used in the production of aluminum alloys, which, in turn, is used in the production of light-weight automotive. Aluminum's superior strength-to-weight ratio makes it more effective for building fuel efficient cars than steel or iron. Hence, the demand for automotive-related alloys is expected to increase, thus, driving the demand for silicon metal. Silicon metal is absolutely necessary for the production of aluminum and chemical products since it provides them with essential properties. In addition, it cannot be substituted and there is no recycling of (pure) Silicon. In the chemical industry, it is used for producing silicon compounds as well as silicon wafers used in photovoltaic solar cells and electronic semiconductors. Silicon compounds are the raw material for a large and growing number of industrial and consumer products such as silicone rubber parts, urethane foam, sealants, adhesives, lubricants, food additives, coatings, and cosmetics.
“ On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. ” ~ H. L. Mencken
Lod posted on 2021-10-04 8:12:40 ET Reply Trace Private Reply
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