REC Silicon starting volume FBR polysilicon production at Yulin plant in China

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Full capacity utilization is expected during the second half of 2018, making it the first FBR plant to operate in China. Image: REC Silicon

Polysilicon producer REC Silicon said it had achieved 800MT of FBR (Fluidized Bed Reactor) granular polysilicon production at its Joint Venture (JV) plant in Yulin, China in the first quarter of 2018.

The Yulin plant JV was announced back in February, 2014 with a planned 18,000MT of granular polysilicon and 1,000MT of Siemens-based polysilicon and 500MT of silane gas loading capability.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Full capacity utilization is expected during the second half of 2018, making it the first FBR plant to operate in China. The company expects the plant to produce 8,000MT in 2018.The facility completed within the budget of US$1.25 billion.

However, due to the solar trade war between the US and China, REC Silicon has been operating its US polysilicon plants below half production capacity rates, as access to the China market, due to high import tariffs has locked-out the company supplying to the largest market. 

The challenging business conditions caused by the trade war also limited REC Silicon’s ability to invest in the JV plant, resulting in its 49% shareholding being reduced to just 15%. The company has an option in three years to take a 34% equity interest in the plant.

Financial Results

REC Silicon reported first quarter 2018 revenues of US$69.6 million, down from US$78.0 million in the previous quarter. EBITDA was US$14.6 million compared to US$10.3 million in the previous quarter. 
 
Tore Torvund, Company CEO commented “I am very encouraged by the strong results this quarter. The $14.6 million EBITDA is the strongest EBITDA we have reported in 3 years. The solar market continues to expand at a strong rate and REC Silicon will be part of that growth as demand for our FBR material increases.”

Polysilicon production in the reporting quarter was higher than guided at 3,523MT. 

The facility completed within the budget of US$1.25 billion. Image REC Silicon
10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

September 4, 2025
The Czech national cybersecurity agency has warned that Chinese solar inverters represent a threat to the country’s data security.
September 3, 2025
Huasun claims it has set new record efficiencies for HJT-perovskite tandem solar cells at both laboratory and commercial scales.
September 3, 2025
LONGi, Jinko Solar, Trina Solar and JA Solar posted combined net losses of nearly RMB11 billion (US$1.54 billion) in H1 2025.
August 29, 2025
Chinese module maker JA Solar has launched DesertBlue, a PV module designed for desert and semi-arid regions. 
Premium
August 28, 2025
US solar companies could potentially pay “tens of billions” of dollars in retroactive duties on products imported from Southeast Asia between June 2022 and June 2024, following a decision from the US Court of International Trade (CIT).
August 28, 2025
JinkoSolar has sold 41.8GW of PV modules in the first half of the year, despite growing financial losses for its manufacturing subsidiary.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines