Global Polysilicon Market
-----------------------------------------2013
Executive Summary
Silicon is one of the most significant inorganic materials. Polysilicon or polycrystalline
crystals. Being one of the purest elements in the world, the purity of polysilicon can be
upon the purity levels, three types of polysilicon are manufactured viz. Electronic-grade
7N), and Upgraded Metallurgical-grade Silicon (> 5N). On the industry front, polysilicon
solar PV industry and the semiconductor industry.
silicon comprises of numerous silicon
as high as 99.9999999+%. Depending
Silicon (9N), Medium-grade Silicon (6is required by 2 major sectors viz. the
This report analyzes the market size of the polysilicon industry with focus on regions including Japan and China in depth. Also,
the solar PV and semiconductor industry size is discussed in detail. In addition, market dynamics such as industry trends and
developments (world’s solar photovoltaic capacity surpassed 100-gigawatt, establishment of strategic alliances, formulation of
dye sensitized solar cells and declining spot prices of polysilicon and solar module), growth drivers (rise in solar cell demand,
growth in semiconductor market, and growing global economy) and challenges (trade dispute between Europe and China,
oversupply in the industry and heavy capital requirements) are explicated.
The polysilicon industry is fiercely competitive with several international and domestic players operating in the domain. The key
international players include REC, Wacker, Hemlock and GCL. Competitive landscape, profiles of major industry players along
with the market outlook for polysilicon/solar PV demand and capacity are also included.
Polysilicon or polycrystalline silicon consists of multiple silicon crystals; Its purity can be as high as
99.9999999+%
 As per the current scenario, the major end market of polysilicon is the
PV panel industry, which accounted for a staggering ……% of global
polysilicon end demand in September 2012.
Polysilicon End Markets (September 2012)
 The polysilicon supply on the global front has been increasing at a fast
pace. For instance, in 2007, the global polysilicon supply stood at ….kilo
tones, while in 2011, the same rose to ……….kilo tones registering a
CAGR of ………….% over the period cited.
 Polysilicon production in Japan has been fluctuating. In 2011, the
same reached to ……… tonnes recording an increase of almost ….%
over 2010 production volume.
Solar PV Panel Industry
Semicondutor Industry
As of May 2012, the polysilicon production was maximum in China
which constituted ……….% share in the global production followed by
the US which accounted for ……..% share. As of January 2013,
approximately …… of the global polysilicon consumption was
constituted by China while other countries claimed a modest ……….%.
Japan’s Polysilicon Production Volume (2007-2011)
Kt
Tonnes
Global Polysilicon Supply (2007-2011)
2007
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2008
2009
2010
2011
A ‘wafer’ is a lean slice of semiconductor material, used in the fabrication of integrated circuits and other
microdevices…
Global Solar PV Demand/Available PV Production/Capacity
(2010-11)
On the global front, the total capacity for solar PV has been exceeding
the available production and the demand. As of 2011, the available
solar PV production was …… MW whereas the demand for the same
has been ……….MW only.
MW
Globally, the semiconductor industry generated revenues worth
US$..........billion in 2012 thereby registering a decline of US$...... billion
or …….% as compared to the sales of US$....... billion recorded in
2011.
As of May 2012, China claimed the top position with a significant …..%
share in the solar wafer production.
Total Capacity
Total available PV
production
Solar PV Demand
Global Semiconductor Revenues (2010-2012)
Japan’s silicon wafer revenues amounted US$.... billion approximately
in 2011, witnessing a decline of US$.... million or ….% as compared to
the revenues generated by the industry in 2010.
Regional Solar Wafer Production (May 2012)
US$ Billion
)
China
2010
2011
2012
Japan
Taiwan
US
Germany
Other
The global polysilicon market is reasonably consolidated, with the top 4 producers’ viz. GCL, Wacker,
Hemlock and OCI, anticipated to constitute a market share of ……% approximately, in 2012.
Global Polysilicon Demand and Capacity Estimates
(2012E-2015E)
Tonnes
Polysilicon Production Capacity (2012E)
GCL
OCI
MEMC
Renesola
Wacker
LDK Solar
Tokuyama
Others
Hemlock
REC
Daqo New Energy
2012E
2013E
2014E
2015E
Polysilicon capacities available to solar industry
Solar industry demand for polysilicon
Solar PV Regional Demand Estimates (2012E & 2013E)
%
The key players on the global front of the polysilicon market include
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, Renewable Energy Corporation
ASA, Wacker Chemie AG, Mitsubishi Polycrystalline Silicon America
Corporation, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Tokuyama Corporation,
and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
It is anticipated that at the end of 2012, the capacity for the production
will be …….kt of polysilicon per annum, while demand from the solar
and semiconductor markets combined will be close to ………kt,
signifying that capacity utilization rate will be approximately
………….% in 2012
2012E
Germany
China
In regional terms, Germany, China and the US are poised to be the
leading regions in 2012 and 2013, anticipated to account for roughly
………..% of the global solar PV demand, collectively
2013E
US
Japan
ROE
ROW
Note: Market attractiveness is inverse of penetration. Low penetration means high attractiveness and vice-versa