SILICON METAL MARKET ANALYSIS

Silicon Metal Market Size and Trends

The global silicon metal market is estimated to be valued at USD 7.61 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10.50 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2024 to 2031.

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Silicon is witnessing an increase in demand from the electronics & semiconductors sector owing to its widespread usage in manufacturing of integrated circuits, chipsets, solar panels, and other electronics components. The growing demand for consumer electronics from emerging the markets of Asia Pacific and growing usage of silicone compounds in personal care products such as shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers are expected to drive the growth of the global silicon metal market during the forecast period. Furthermore, steady growth in the automotive industry and utilization of silicone in anti-corrosion and thermal resistant applications is also driving its usage.

Demand from Aluminum Alloy Industry

The aluminum alloy industry has seen tremendous growth in the past decade owing to the increased usage of aluminum in various end-use industries such as transportation, packaging, construction, and others. Aluminum is a very important metal for the automotive industry due to its light weight and corrosion resistance properties. With automakers around the world focusing on fuel efficiency and emission norms, the use of aluminum in vehicles is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Aluminum alloys usually contain around 8-13% of silicon which enhances their mechanical properties and makes them ideal for applications that require high strength and ductility. Thus, the rising aluminum demand from the automotive industry would positively impact the consumption of silicon metal in the long run.  Apart from automotive, aluminum finds wide usage in aircraft manufacturing, rail, machinery equipment, and other industrial goods due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. The construction industry is also shifting from steel and concrete to aluminum owing to advantages like non-corrosiveness, workability, and recycling ability. All these end-use sectors are expected to drive the growth of aluminum production and consumption globally. Being a mandatory alloying element, increased aluminum usage will subsequently boost the silicon metal demand. Many aluminum producers are also expanding and setting up new production facilities which would escalate the need for silicon in the coming years. Governments across regions are supporting aluminum usage to reduce the carbon footprint of various industries.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Silicon is considered as one of the most important elemental semiconductor and a critical raw material for the electronics industry. It finds applications in various electronic components such as integrated circuits, transistors, diodes, and microchips used in different electronic devices. The explosive growth in semiconductor manufacturing and increased per capita consumption of consumer electronics have augmented the demand for silicon in the past few decades. Moreover, miniaturization of circuits coupled with rising usage of silicon in 5G infrastructure, IoT devices, AI, and other emerging technologies are anticipated to bolster the market growth.  The ongoing renewable energy revolution and continuous cost declines have also uplifted the demand for silicon metal from the solar photovoltaic industry. Almost all solar PV modules use silicon wafers as the core material for converting sunlight into electricity.

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Silicon metal production is highly energy intensive and prices of coal and electricity often witness volatility. Additionally, stringent environmental regulations in various countries pose another challenge as they increase production costs. Additionally, Geopolitical issues and trade wars further contribute to supply uncertainties. Moreover, the market faces demand uncertainties from key end-use industries such as aluminum, chemicals, and solar panels that are influenced by macroeconomic conditions.

Opportunities: Rising sales of aluminum alloys and stainless steel

Rising sales of aluminum alloys and stainless steel will drive silicon metal consumption. Furthermore, the expansion of the chemical industry especially in Asia Pacific is projected to boost demand. Increased investments in the solar industry following commitments to Renewable Portfolio Standards also provide an avenue for growth. Significant untapped markets in developing regions offer immense potential for silicon metal producers.

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In terms of grade, metallurgical is expected to contribute 78.6% share of the global silicon metal market owing to its wide applications across various aluminum alloy manufacturing industries in 2024. Silicon metal serves as the primary raw material for producing ferrosilicon and silicomanganese alloys that are essential for improving strength, casts, and machinability in aluminum alloys. The ever-growing aluminum industry has been the chief consumer of metallurgical-grade silicon metal over the years. Rising global automobile production has significantly propelled the demand for aluminum alloys that find extensive usage in engine components, wheels, and other structural parts to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency. High uptake of aluminum in various other transportation applications like aircraft and marine vessels is also augmenting the metallurgical silicon metal demand. Moreover, surging investments in electric vehicles are favoring market growth as EV batteries increasingly adopt customized aluminum-silicon metal compositions for enhanced conductivity. Widespread infrastructure development activities across developed and emerging economies have catalyzed the consumption of construction-grade aluminum alloys for windows, facades, and other architectural applications owing to their corrosion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio. Prominent government initiatives to fast-track renewable energy deployment are further accentuating the adoption of aluminum in solar panels, which acts as a key end user for metallurgical-grade silicon.

Insights, by Application: Growing Applications in Aluminum Alloys Drive the Aluminum Alloys Segment

Among the various application segments, aluminum alloys account for the largest consumption of silicon metal owing to their extensive utilization across diverse end-use industries. The aluminum alloys segment is expected to account for 34.5% of the market share in 2024. Silicon metal serves as a vital alloying element to manufacture various wrought and cast aluminum alloys with enhanced physical properties.  The transportation sector, including automotive, aerospace, and marine, has been a major consumer of aluminum alloys due to the ongoing lightweighting trend aimed at improving fuel efficiency. In the automotive industry, growing vehicle production alongside the shift toward aluminum intensified the demand for aluminum alloys and their associated silicon metal content. In the aerospace industry as well, the replacement of steel and titanium with high-strength aluminum alloys enables significant weight savings and fuel conservation. Apart from transportation, aluminum alloys find widespread usage in building and construction for window frames, curtain walls, doors, and other architectural applications leveraging properties like corrosion resistance, high strength, and workability. The booming construction industry, especially in developing nations, propels the consumption of aluminum and associated silicon alloys. Other major end-uses include packaging, machinery equipment, and consumer durables where aluminum alloys replace traditional materials. Ongoing research and development has further broadened the potential of aluminum silicon alloys in newer applications.

Regional Insights

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North America has dominated the global silicon metal market for many decades owing to well-established manufacturing clusters in the region. This region is expected to account for 34.6% of the market share in 2024. The U.S. is the largest producer of silicon metal in the world with major production facilities located in the states of Alabama and Washington. Strong domestic demand from industries such as aluminum, chemicals, semiconductors, and solar has allowed the region to continually expand its production capacity. With abundant reserves of quartzite, a key input in silicon metal production, North America also enjoys secure supply of raw materials. Moreover, the region is a leader in technology and innovation which allows manufacturers to adopt advanced production technologies and operate with high yields. Proximity to end-use markets further enhances North America's position as a preferred exporter.

The Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest growing regional market. China, in particular, has witnessed exponential growth in the demand for silicon metal driven primarily by its mammoth secondary aluminum industry. With over 250 aluminum smelters across 30 provinces, China accounts for more than half of the global aluminum production. Rapid industrialization, infrastructure development, and government initiatives to promote new energy industries have motivated domestic silicon metal producers to add significant new capacities over the last decade. The falling production costs, aided by low labor and land prices in the region have attracted global investors to set up manufacturing facilities. Aggressive expansion strategies by Chinese manufacturers are positioning the country to become a key global supplier. Export markets in Southeast Asia and South Korea are adding further momentum to the industry's growth in the Asia Pacific region.

Market Report Scope

Silicon Metal Industry News

• In February 2024, Ferroglobe and Longi Announce Long-Term Silicon Supply Agreement
• In May 2022, Wacker Chemie AG has announced that it is preparing to expand its production capacity for silicon metal at Holla, Norway.
• In May 2022, Dow Inc. launched Silastic Ms-5002, a moldable liquid silicon rubber with low molds for faster recycling
• In December 2022, China launched trading of the world's first industrial silicon futures to boost risk management

*Definition: The global silicon metal market consists of companies that manufacture and sell silicon metal or ferrosilicon products for applications in aluminum alloys, silicone and silane production, chemical industries, and solar photovoltaic industries. Silicon metal is a metallurgical-grade form of silicon produced via carbothermic reduction or electrolysis of materials like quartzite ores. It is used as a raw material input by the aluminum, chemical, and solar industries.

Market Segmentation

• Grade Insights (Revenue, USD Bn & KT, 2019 - 2031)
  • Chemical grade
  • Metallurgical
•  Application Insights (Revenue, USD Bn & KT, 2019 - 2031)
  • Aluminum Alloys
  • Semiconductors
  • Solar Panels
  • Others (Stainless Steel, etc.)
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Bn & KT, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Elkem ASA
  • RIMA Group
  • Rusal
  • Ferroglobe
  • Sinova Global Inc
  • Mississippi Silicon
  • Minasligas
  • LIASA
  • Wacker Chemie AG
  • PCC SE
  • Zhejiang Kaihua Yuantong Silicon Industry Co. Ltd
  • Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd
  • Anyang Huatuo Metallurgy
  • Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd
  • Zhongyi Metalware (Tianjin) Co., Ltd
  • Otto Chemie Pvt Ltd 
  • Phoolchand Bhagatsing
  • Anyang Dingsheng Silicon Industry Co., Ltd
  • Wasia Group
  • Hensfate Metal Co., Ltd.