Wacker’s hit by further polysilicon price declines and lower sales volumes in Q2

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The company also noted that the extremely low price levels was a major challenge for both itself and its competitors. Image: Wacker

Major polysilicon producer Wacker Chemie remains steadfastly impacted by weak demand, notably in China that continues to record polysilicon price declines that are below manufacturing costs. 

Wacker’s polysilicon division reported second quarter 2019 revenue of €169.9 million, down 30% from the prior year period. The company noted in its quarterly report that the reason for the decline was due to; “Markedly lower average prices for solar-grade polysilicon. Somewhat lower year-over-year volumes also burdened sales.”

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

Wacker's revenue reached a new low point in the second quarter of 2019.

The company also noted that the extremely low price levels was a major challenge for both itself and its competitors. 

Despite lower ASPs and unspecified lower shipment volumes, coupled to inventory write-downs, Wacker said that ongoing polysilicon production remained at full capacity. 

Polysilicon production costs implemented in the first half of the year led to a significant improvement in EBITDA for the second quarter. Wacker’s polysilicon business reported an EBITDA of €5.7 million, 85% lower than the prior year period but up 48% from EBITDA of negative €35.8 million in the first quarter of 2019.

Polysilicon production costs implemented in the first half of the year led to a significant improvement in EBITDA for the second quarter.

EBITDA margin also improved to 3.4% in the reporting period, up from a negative 17% in the previous quarter.

EBITDA margin also improved to 3.4% in the reporting period, up from a negative 17% in the previous quarter.

The company also benefited from €19.0 million in advance payments received from a solar customer in the reporting quarter. 

Management noted in the financial report: “Overall, we remain confident at mid-year about meeting our targets for 2019. But with economic growth slowing and China’s solar market yet to revive, EBITDA is likely to be closer to the bottom end of our projected range. We are working hard to optimize the factors that we can influence in our business – above all, our costs and production-process efficiency. We will continue to pursue these goals with determination.”

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

October 7, 2025
Solar PV will account for almost 80% of the 4.6TW of new renewable power expected to be added by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Premium
October 6, 2025
Talon PV aims to be the first US company to safely manufacture TOPCon cells at scale, backed by European technology and a crucial First Solar licensing deal.
October 3, 2025
The US solar manufacturing industry is feeling bullish, despite the policy whiplash inflicted over the summer and the increased pressure on US solar supply chains.
October 3, 2025
Chinese government policies and supply-side production cuts will drive a significant increase in solar and storage component costs.
October 2, 2025
PV products using perovskite technology could assume a dominant position within the next ten years, according to module producer Qcells' CTO.
Premium
October 2, 2025
PV Talk: Qcells’ CTO Danielle Merfeld discusses the imminent opening of America’s first integrated c-Si ingot-to-module factory and her belief in solar’s long-term strengths.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK