According to sources, domestic prices of US silicon grade 553 metal were at $2,535-2,575/mt in-warehouse Pittsburgh in mid-July. Over the past month, due to tight supply and import concerns due to active CVD and AD investigations, US spot market prices have increased to $2,600-2,680/mt in-warehouse Pittsburgh in the past week. The new trading level represents an increase of $65/mt from the bottom of the previous range and $105/mt from the top of the previous range.
A source noted that the present range is expected to substantially shift up again in the next week as $2,755/mt in-warehouse Pittsburgh, for silicon grade 553, is the predominant level expected for transactions into late August. The number of domestic customers seeking the material has increased while the silicon supply is considered tight.