Asian Metal: Hi, Manager You, could you please give us a brief introduction to your company?

GM. You: Shihezi Fengtuo Silicon Material Technology Co., Ltd., formerly Xinjiang Yifeng Western Ceramic Material Technology Co., Ltd., is a holding company of Xinjiang Energy Co., Ltd. Our company is located in the new material industrial park of the state-level economic and technological development zone in Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and covers an area of 333,000㎡. Mainly producing green silicon carbide ultrafine powder to be used as a top-grade abrasive and ceramic material, and wire-electrode cutting material, our company is an important site for silicon carbide ceramic materials and a significant enterprise for new materials in Shihezi. Based on the technological support of the department of materials science and engineering at Tsinghua University, the high-quality raw material resources in Xinjiang, excellent technical talent and the most advanced production equipment, our company has built the No.1 brand of silicon carbide in China.

Asian Metal: What’s your opinion on the green silicon carbide market conditions, ranging from oversupply to quietness, in 2016?

GM. You: From late 2015 to H1 of 2016, the whole photovoltaic industry had grasped the moment to produce in order to take over the limited share of the solar energy battery market, resulting in a tight supply of green silicon carbide. Due to the completion of the annual installed capacity, the photovoltaic enterprises are basically in a stalemate. Therefore, the green silicon carbide industry is quiet currently.

Asian Metal: How do you handle this market transition?

GM. You: We adjust our operating strategy according to the market changes and do our best to improve the quality of our products.

Asian Metal: Given the heavy stock pressure in the market and continuing weak downstream demand, will green silicon carbide prices decline further?

GM. You: Yes, it is possible.

Asian Metal: The applications for green silicon carbide in the photovoltaic industry are gradually narrowing at present. Will the green silicon carbide market continue with the current quietness in 2017?

GM. You: Yes, it will. At least, we are negative about the market in H1 of 2017.

Asian Metal: Will green silicon carbide disappear from the photovoltaic market gradually in the future and will its only source of downstream demand be the abrasive industry?

GM. You: It is unlikely that green silicon carbide will get out of the photovoltaic market completely but it is a good choice to focus on the abrasive industry.

Asian Metal: Thank you for sharing your views and for your support of Asian Metal. We wish you every success in your business.

GM. You: Thank you.