The reopening of the former Globe Metallurgical plant onin Niagara Falls, New York, has taken longer than anticipated but the proposed creation of 500 jobs is reportedly still on the radar.
Clara Dunn, the city’s Empire Zone coordinator, provided an update on the plant’s progress Monday to City Council members, who say they’ve been receiving numerous phone calls from people wondering why nothing seems to be happening on the highly publicized economic development project.
“It’s something we’ve been banging the drum on for a while and saying it’s going to create 500 jobs ... but we’re not seeing it happen,” Council Chairman Chris Robins said.
Dunn said she recently took a tour of the site and was told interviews to fill jobs at the plant have restarted and more updates could be announced in the upcoming weeks. Currently, 23 employees have been hired, including seven from Niagara Falls.
“There’s every indication from inside the plant that things are moving forward,” Dunn said.
One of the world’s largest producers of metallurgical and chemical-grade silicon metal and silicon-based specialty alloys, Globe Specialty Metals announced in May 2008 plans to reopen and expand production at its old plant, which closed down production and moved to Ohio in 2003. The $60 million investment proposed creating 500 “green collar” jobs, most of which will be tied to the construction of a new 100,000-square-foot facility by Solsil, Inc., a subsidiary of Globe that refines silicon metal to create solar panels.
The first phase of the project consisted of restarting operations at the existing building, creating about 100 jobs within the first year, company officials have said. However, Globe’s Human Resources Director Lee Payssa said back in January some of the goals included in the tentative production schedule were delayed as the company awaited funding from economic inventive programs and grants. Difficulties securing construction materials and harsh economic conditions were also named as deterrents.
However, Dunn said Monday company officials remain optimistic about their future in Niagara Falls and that the project will happen as proposed.
n Dunn also provided a report on the hiring of local residents at Ascension Industries. Last year, the City Council amended the city’s charter to allow the North Tonawanda metal manufacturing company to be recognized within a state Empire Zone, opening it up to tax credits. In exchange for the approval, Ascension officials promised to make hiring Falls residents a priority.
Dunn reported the company has since hired 18 new employees, including 11 from Niagara County and four from Niagara Falls. The company has also advertised openings locally prior to expanding the search, she said.
“In all actuality, they’ve done what they said they were going to do,” Dunn said.
Ascension is required to provide the city a detailed business report including hiring statistics by next April.
Source: Niagara Gazette
Showing posts with label silicon metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label silicon metal. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Silicon Metal Demand Forecast To Rise By 15% In 2010
The third quarter will be cyclical low for silicon metal, forecasts J.P. Morgan Securities in a note to clients on Tuesday, which sees demand about to perk up from solid second-half growth in U.S. and world industrial production. The silicon mineral is known in the ferroalloy and chemical industries as "silicon metal" and is used by the aluminum, steel, solar energy and semiconductor industries.
The J.P. Morgan forecast sees global silicon demand increasing 15% in 2010 to 1.8 million tons, back to 2008 levels after a 13% decline in 2009. "At the same time, production of silicon should respond to increased demand in 2010 and grow 13% to 1.9 million tons," writes analyst Michael Gambardella.
Upshot: The analyst expects silicon industry spot prices to average $1.25/lb in 2009 (vs. a year-to-date price of $1.27) and then rise to $1.35 in 2010 and $1.40 in 2011.
Silicon metal is the necessary precursor to polysilicon, which is used in the production of photovoltaic solar cells for power generation as well as semiconductors. "Some industry experts estimate that the solar industry could increase its annual power generation from about 6,000 megawatt hours (MWh) today to over 100,000 MWh by 2025," writes Gambardella." This would require about 850,000 tons of polysilicon to make the necessary solar cells. To produce one ton of polysilicon requires 1.4 tons of silicon metal. This would imply that an additional 1.2 million tons/year of silicon metal will be needed in an industry that currently has a global capacity of 1.8 million tons now.
Source: Purchasing.com
The J.P. Morgan forecast sees global silicon demand increasing 15% in 2010 to 1.8 million tons, back to 2008 levels after a 13% decline in 2009. "At the same time, production of silicon should respond to increased demand in 2010 and grow 13% to 1.9 million tons," writes analyst Michael Gambardella.
Upshot: The analyst expects silicon industry spot prices to average $1.25/lb in 2009 (vs. a year-to-date price of $1.27) and then rise to $1.35 in 2010 and $1.40 in 2011.
Silicon metal is the necessary precursor to polysilicon, which is used in the production of photovoltaic solar cells for power generation as well as semiconductors. "Some industry experts estimate that the solar industry could increase its annual power generation from about 6,000 megawatt hours (MWh) today to over 100,000 MWh by 2025," writes Gambardella." This would require about 850,000 tons of polysilicon to make the necessary solar cells. To produce one ton of polysilicon requires 1.4 tons of silicon metal. This would imply that an additional 1.2 million tons/year of silicon metal will be needed in an industry that currently has a global capacity of 1.8 million tons now.
Source: Purchasing.com
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Timminco Restarts Silicon Metal Production At Becancour
Canadian silicon processor Timminco Ltd said it has resumed production of silicon metal at its Becancour facility, owing to improved market conditions and demand from the chemical industry.
The resumption will result in the recall of a portion of the unionized workforce which was temporarily laid off in May, the company said.
Timminco, which had reduced silicon metal and solar grade silicon production at Becancour due to a soft solar market, had temporarily laid of 172 unionized staff at the plant.
Of the 375 employees at Becancour, 275 were unionised.
The company, which produces solar grade silicon for the solar photovoltaic energy industry, said it will also restart one of its three electric arc furnaces to fulfil newly contracted demand from a long-term customer.
Source: Reuters
The resumption will result in the recall of a portion of the unionized workforce which was temporarily laid off in May, the company said.
Timminco, which had reduced silicon metal and solar grade silicon production at Becancour due to a soft solar market, had temporarily laid of 172 unionized staff at the plant.
Of the 375 employees at Becancour, 275 were unionised.
The company, which produces solar grade silicon for the solar photovoltaic energy industry, said it will also restart one of its three electric arc furnaces to fulfil newly contracted demand from a long-term customer.
Source: Reuters
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Ferroatlantica To Build Silicon Metal Plant In Tibet
Spanish company, Grupo Villar Mir, has signed an agreement with Sichuan Kangding Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture government on April 29th for Grupo Villar Mir's subsidiary, Ferroatlantica, will invest EUR820 million to build the world's largest silicon metal plant in Kangding Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, in southwest China.
Mr Juan Miguel Villar Mir, president of Grupo Villar Mir, said the plant will commence construction in this September and finish in 2013. It will churn out 100,000 tonnes of chemical grade silicon metal and 50,000 tonnes of Solar Grade Silicon each year when it is on stream.
Mr Mir added that this new plant is designed with the most advanced technology, and all the solid, liquid and gaseous products will be transported by seal pipe, so the plant will not pollute the atmosphere and the environment.
Ferroatlantica Company is the largest silicon metal producer in the world.
Source: Steel Guru
Mr Juan Miguel Villar Mir, president of Grupo Villar Mir, said the plant will commence construction in this September and finish in 2013. It will churn out 100,000 tonnes of chemical grade silicon metal and 50,000 tonnes of Solar Grade Silicon each year when it is on stream.
Mr Mir added that this new plant is designed with the most advanced technology, and all the solid, liquid and gaseous products will be transported by seal pipe, so the plant will not pollute the atmosphere and the environment.
Ferroatlantica Company is the largest silicon metal producer in the world.
Source: Steel Guru
Saturday, March 28, 2009
China's Silicon Metal Exports Hit New Low
According to customs statistics China exported 14,106 tonnes of silicon metal in February down by 7.8% MoM from 15,297 tonnes in January and sliding 65.6% YoY from 40,933 tonnes in the review period. It is also another record low since the financial crisis began.
Exports in the first two months totalled 29,404 tonnes with whole value of USD 58,553,374.
According to 2008's data, silicon shipped to Japan were around 20,000 tonnes every month, However, only 3,383 tonnes were delivered this February falling 15.0% MoM and 67.5% YoY.
Hammered by the fiscal crisis, only 943 tonnes of silicon went to South Korea plunging 51.9% MoM and 73.0% YoY. Meanwhile, exports to German slipped from 1827 tonnes to 1184 tonnes while tonnages to the US declined to zero from 227 tonnes a month ago. However, silicon export to Hong Kong rose to 3335 tonnes from 2807 tonnes in January, tonnage to India rose to 1201 tonnes from 875 tonnes and to Taiwan grew to 756 tonnes from 224 tonnes.
Source: Steel Guru
Exports in the first two months totalled 29,404 tonnes with whole value of USD 58,553,374.
According to 2008's data, silicon shipped to Japan were around 20,000 tonnes every month, However, only 3,383 tonnes were delivered this February falling 15.0% MoM and 67.5% YoY.
Hammered by the fiscal crisis, only 943 tonnes of silicon went to South Korea plunging 51.9% MoM and 73.0% YoY. Meanwhile, exports to German slipped from 1827 tonnes to 1184 tonnes while tonnages to the US declined to zero from 227 tonnes a month ago. However, silicon export to Hong Kong rose to 3335 tonnes from 2807 tonnes in January, tonnage to India rose to 1201 tonnes from 875 tonnes and to Taiwan grew to 756 tonnes from 224 tonnes.
Source: Steel Guru
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Timminco Cuts Silicon Metal Production
Toronto-based Timminco announced after Tuesday’s market close that it is planning to temporarily curtail production of silicon metal as a result of difficult market conditions and reduced demand.
Timminco, a producer of solar grade silicon for the solar photovoltaic energy industry says it will implement the operating mode at the beginning of the second quarter, with a goal to preserve cash flow and decrease current working capital levels. During this period, the company says it will supply silicon metal to customers from its existing finished goods inventory.
The decrease in production will also result in a temporary workforce reduction.
Timminco will continue to produce solar grade silicon, although at levels that bring production in line with customer orders, and is planning to defer further capacity expansion of its solar grade silicon facility pending recovery of demand for solar grade silicon.
"The impact of global economic and credit conditions have prompted us to take decisive action to reduce costs and preserve capital until the silicon metal and solar grade silicon markets improve," said Heinz Schimmelbusch, chairman of the board and CEO of Timminco.
The company also released its fourth quarter and year-end results after market close, including a net loss for the fourth quarter of $1.3 million, or one cent per share, compared to a net loss of $8.8 million, or eight cents per share, for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year, the company recorded a net loss of $22.6 million, or 22 cents per share, compared with a loss of $18 million, or 20 cents per share in 2007.
Consolidated sales for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $72.7 million, up 100% from $36.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year, consolidated sales reached $252.6 million, an increase of 52% from $166.2 million for 2007.
Source: Stockhouse
Timminco, a producer of solar grade silicon for the solar photovoltaic energy industry says it will implement the operating mode at the beginning of the second quarter, with a goal to preserve cash flow and decrease current working capital levels. During this period, the company says it will supply silicon metal to customers from its existing finished goods inventory.
The decrease in production will also result in a temporary workforce reduction.
Timminco will continue to produce solar grade silicon, although at levels that bring production in line with customer orders, and is planning to defer further capacity expansion of its solar grade silicon facility pending recovery of demand for solar grade silicon.
"The impact of global economic and credit conditions have prompted us to take decisive action to reduce costs and preserve capital until the silicon metal and solar grade silicon markets improve," said Heinz Schimmelbusch, chairman of the board and CEO of Timminco.
The company also released its fourth quarter and year-end results after market close, including a net loss for the fourth quarter of $1.3 million, or one cent per share, compared to a net loss of $8.8 million, or eight cents per share, for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year, the company recorded a net loss of $22.6 million, or 22 cents per share, compared with a loss of $18 million, or 20 cents per share in 2007.
Consolidated sales for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $72.7 million, up 100% from $36.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year, consolidated sales reached $252.6 million, an increase of 52% from $166.2 million for 2007.
Source: Stockhouse
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Chinese Silicon Metal Market Remains Sluggish
China's domestic silicon market has remained soft this week with no change in price from the precious week. The volume of enquiries has fallen and producers are only arranged their production according to their contracts. Most enterprises that have suspended production still have no clear plan on when to resume.
Currently in southern ports the price of silicon metal 553 is at CNY 9,800 to 10,000 per tonne; 441 stands at CNY 10,100 to 10,300 per tonne with the actual deal prices down CNY 100 to 200 per tonne. Meanwhile, the price of high-grade silicon metal sees no recovery due to soft demand; 3303 silicon metal is now at CNY 10,000 to 10,200 per tonne.
Market demand is soft now comparing to the past few months, said one large-scale silicon metal enterprise in Guizhou province. Price are only just enough to cover costs and there seems no sign of a positive change in the short term. Meanwhile, overseas demand for silicon metal remains sluggish.
Source: Steel Guru
Currently in southern ports the price of silicon metal 553 is at CNY 9,800 to 10,000 per tonne; 441 stands at CNY 10,100 to 10,300 per tonne with the actual deal prices down CNY 100 to 200 per tonne. Meanwhile, the price of high-grade silicon metal sees no recovery due to soft demand; 3303 silicon metal is now at CNY 10,000 to 10,200 per tonne.
Market demand is soft now comparing to the past few months, said one large-scale silicon metal enterprise in Guizhou province. Price are only just enough to cover costs and there seems no sign of a positive change in the short term. Meanwhile, overseas demand for silicon metal remains sluggish.
Source: Steel Guru
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Chinese Silicon Metal Prices Hiked
It is reported that Chinese silicon metal suppliers raised their offer prices this week amid a tightness in supply, but Indian importers still have a wait-and-see attitude before making purchases.
According to an Indian importer, the prices of Chinese silicon 553 and silicon 441 are at USD 1700 to 1740 per tonne CIF Bombay, up by USD 50 per tonne from before the Chinese New Year. The importer said "We don't have any inventory now and are not going to import products in the near future, as there is no order received yet."
His company imported a small amount of silicon metal from China before the Spring Festival.
Source: Steel Guru
According to an Indian importer, the prices of Chinese silicon 553 and silicon 441 are at USD 1700 to 1740 per tonne CIF Bombay, up by USD 50 per tonne from before the Chinese New Year. The importer said "We don't have any inventory now and are not going to import products in the near future, as there is no order received yet."
His company imported a small amount of silicon metal from China before the Spring Festival.
Source: Steel Guru
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chinese Silicon Metal Market Remains Sluggish
China's export market for silicon metal remains sluggish, according to market insiders, with only a few transactions.
A silicon metal trader from Liaoning province disclosed that they have rarely exported silicon in the past few months, but have sold 300 to 400 tonnes in the domestic market with an average price average of CNY 11,000 per tonne. As a result they have almost no inventory in hand.
"We have importers' inquiries all the time," he said, "but only a few of them finally place the orders and in a very small amount. They are not going to purchase the products in large amounts at the moment as enterprises are all hiking up their quotations after the festival.”
Another silicon metal trader from Guangdong province is only functioning as a silicon supplier for its parent company in Japan. "Currently, we still have 1,000 tonnes of inventories, and it is enough for 3 months, therefore, we are not going to purchase the product from the Chinese market in the near future." he said
The trader noted many silicon metal enterprises still haven't resumed production yet as the market continues to weaken.
A silicon metal trader from Liaoning province disclosed that they have rarely exported silicon in the past few months, but have sold 300 to 400 tonnes in the domestic market with an average price average of CNY 11,000 per tonne. As a result they have almost no inventory in hand.
"We have importers' inquiries all the time," he said, "but only a few of them finally place the orders and in a very small amount. They are not going to purchase the products in large amounts at the moment as enterprises are all hiking up their quotations after the festival.”
Another silicon metal trader from Guangdong province is only functioning as a silicon supplier for its parent company in Japan. "Currently, we still have 1,000 tonnes of inventories, and it is enough for 3 months, therefore, we are not going to purchase the product from the Chinese market in the near future." he said
The trader noted many silicon metal enterprises still haven't resumed production yet as the market continues to weaken.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Globe Metallurgical To Close Selma Site For Six Months
Nearly 60 workers at Globe Metallurgical on the Old Montgomery Highway near Selma, Alabama, will find themselves without work in less than two months.
Officials at Globe have notified the state and the city that they intend to cease operation for at least six months by March 22.
Wayne Vardaman, director of the Selma & Dallas County Economic Development Authority, said the state had received notice of the proposed closure. The state's rapid response team is working on the project.
The document filed with the state and City of Selma says the company expects to be closed for at least six months because of a "market decline" and competition.
The Web site for the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce says Globe Metallurgical bought the Alamet silicon metal plant in Selma in 1984.
The company earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1988, in recognition of the quality of its manufacturing processes and its products.
Source: Selma Times-Journal
Officials at Globe have notified the state and the city that they intend to cease operation for at least six months by March 22.
Wayne Vardaman, director of the Selma & Dallas County Economic Development Authority, said the state had received notice of the proposed closure. The state's rapid response team is working on the project.
The document filed with the state and City of Selma says the company expects to be closed for at least six months because of a "market decline" and competition.
The Web site for the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce says Globe Metallurgical bought the Alamet silicon metal plant in Selma in 1984.
The company earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1988, in recognition of the quality of its manufacturing processes and its products.
Source: Selma Times-Journal
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