Oman-based United Solar has welcomed the measures announced by the US to strengthen its domestic polysilicon industry and to improve the resilience of its solar and semiconductor supply chains.
The Proclamation, signed on August 6, establishes a minimum import price of $21 per kg for polysilicon, together with price floors for polysilicon ingots and wafers, solar cells and solar modules. It also imposes an additional 15% ad valorem duty on downstream polysilicon derivatives. The measures take effect on December 4.
The Omani group said the action reflects a growing recognition that polysilicon is a strategically important material rather than an ordinary commodity input.
A leading producer of polysilicon - the essential material used in the manufacture of solar panels - United Solar operates one of the world’s most advanced polysilicon manufacturing facilities in Oman.
Its 100,000-tonne-per-year polysilicon facility in Sohar Free Zone began operations in January. At full capacity, the facility is expected to enable the production of 40GW of solar modules annually.
An FEOC-compliant producer of high-purity polysilicon, United Solar supplies tier-one wafer, cell, and module manufacturers with fully traceable material. It also supports the objective of building diversified, secure supply chains and welcomes the clarity the measures provide to manufacturers making long-term sourcing decisions.
Lauding the key US initiative, Binyam Giorgis, Group CFO of United Solar, said: "The United States has recognised polysilicon as a strategic material, and we welcome that."
"When a price floor applies to polysilicon of every origin, the question for a buyer is no longer just the cheapest price but scale, reliability and verified traceability. Buyers need suppliers who can demonstrate where their material comes from rather than simply assert it. That is what United Solar was built to provide, and we will continue to support our customers and partners as these measures take effect," he stated.
The measures also distinguish between tiers of the value chain. Raw polysilicon carries the minimum import price but no additional ad valorem duty, while ingots, wafers, cells and modules carry both the minimum import price and the 15% duty.
"We believe this structure supports investment in United States domestic ingot, wafer and cell manufacturing by keeping feedstock accessible while encouraging conversion to take place domestically. The Proclamation also authorises the Secretary of Commerce to grant tariff relief to companies that commit to onshoring the solar value chain. United Solar is well positioned to support that build-out as a supplier of high-purity polysilicon," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
