Recent public information has revealed that Yongxiang New Energy, a subsidiary of Tongwei Co., Ltd., plans to add a 10,000-tonne-per-year pilot production line for granular silicon as part of its second-phase technological renovation project. This move has been interpreted by industry insiders as Tongwei’s foray into the manufacture of granular silicon.
On February 21st, Tongwei responded to Interface News by stating that the granular silicon project is a research and development initiative aimed at enhancing the competitive advantage of rod-shaped silicon. The core processes, key parameters, and quality control system have formed an independent technical path, substantially differing from other technical solutions in the industry. Due to considerations related to intellectual property protection and commercial confidentiality, specific information will not be disclosed to the public at this time.
The company further emphasized that its deployment of this technology is to further consolidate the competitive barriers in upstream photovoltaic materials, optimize cost structures through process complementarity, and provide customers in the industry chain with a higher-value product mix.
Tongwei noted that it has mature technological expertise and large-scale production advantages in the field of high-purity silicon. Based on the long-standing mainstream approach of rod-shaped silicon technology and products, the company will continue to optimize and upgrade, achieving a dynamic balance between technical adaptability and economy.
In early December 2024, a screenshot of a company located in Leshan recruiting granular silicon technicians circulated online, sparking market speculation that Tongwei was about to enter the granular silicon market. At that time, Tongwei responded to multiple media outlets by stating that the recruitment information was false, and the company was neither recruiting relevant technicians nor producing granular silicon.
Currently, rod-shaped silicon produced using the improved Siemens method dominates the silicon material market, with leading enterprise GCL focusing on the production of granular silicon.
GCL has already demonstrated the potential of granular silicon in terms of application and cost. Tongwei’s pursuit of a layout in this area at this time will face multiple challenges, including technology implementation, intellectual property rights, and market pressure.
