Dow Corning’s JV polysilicon subsidiary, Hemlock Semiconductor was impacted by overcapacity in 2011. Like major competitor, Wacker sales were lower and demand weakened. Overall, Dow Corning recorded record sales of US$6.43 billion in 2011 while adjusted net income decreased 15% compared to 2010. The company does not breakout polysilicon sales.
Continued overcapacity and weak demand in the wafering sector has forced Bekaert to reduce wire saw manufacturing capacity with the loss of 1,250 jobs. Restructuring started in December 2011, which included reducing production in China.
Continuing with the impact of overcapacity and falling prices, REC has said that another long-term wafer sales contract signed in the 2006-2008 period had been terminated. REC said that it would receive a cash compensation of approximately US$34.2 million (NOK 220 million) in relation to the cancellation. REC did not disclose the customer involved.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice gave Timminco, and its subsidiary Bécancour Silicon, an extension of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act stay of proceedings. The stay proceeds will now be allowed to continue until April 30.
Major materials provider to the PV industry, DuPont reported Electronics & Communications segment sales of US$630 million in the fourth quarter, a decline 18% compared to the same period last year, with 33% lower volume which was offset by 15% higher prices. PV related revenue represent about 40% of DuPont’s electronics segment sales. Management noted that material destocking at PV manufacturers had continued in the fourth quarter due to inventory issues, impacting pre-tax earnings, which were down from US$56 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 to US$42 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Eastman Chemical has completed its bid for the acquisition of performance materials and specialty chemicals company Solutia for an approximate total of US$4.7 billion – including debt – in order to fuel its expansion into the specialty chemicals and plastics sector. Solutia’s shares are said to have fallen by 25% in 2011, although the company was active in its acquisitions process, having finalized the takeover of Southwall Technologies late last year.
Major polycilicon producer, Wacker Chemie saw an abrupt demand decline in the fourth quarter of 2011 as PV customers reduced inventory levels and cancelled contracts due to some customers exiting the industry. Polysilicon spot prices fell below Wacker’s long-term pricing levels for the first time in many years, sparking price renegotiations.
MEMC has been forced to lower fourth quarter revenue guidance, just over a month after revisions were made as the company announced a major restructuring effort due to lower than expected PV project interconnections carried out by project developer subsidiary, SunEdison. MEMC revised revenue to be in the range of US$698 million to US$733 million, compared to December, 2011 guidance of between US$789 million to US$861 million.
First Solar recently held its inaugural annual Supplier Recognition Day, which was said to have been attended by approximately 60 companies that were considered critical suppliers to the company. At the event, encapsulant supplier, STR Holdings, was recognised as one of three suppliers, with the NOVA award, designed to recognise premier suppliers that significantly support its mission.
Weak pricing, especially on the spot market, has forced REC to reduce monocrystalline wafer production at its Glomfjord, Norway facility by 50%. The announcement comes soon after reducing multicrystalline wafer production at its facility in Herøya, Norway by 60% in late November, 2011. REC said that the temporary shutdown would affect approximately 65 employees at its Glomfjord facility.
