Average silicon prices in the U.S. by type 2016-2020

In 2020, ferrosilicon with 50% silicon cost 104 U.S. cents per pound, and silicon metal cost 96 U.S. cents per pound. Silicon alloys and metals are important in various industries. Ferrosilicon is commonly used in ferrous foundries and steel industries, whereas silicon metal is often used for aluminum, aluminum alloys, and the chemical industry. Silicon is also often used for semiconductors in solar panels, computer chips, and as a part of the automotive industry.

Silicon facts

Pure silicon appears as a blue-grey metallic solid. Silicon is most commonly found paired with oxygen, silica. It is considered a metalloid. China produces a large percentage of the world’s silicon supply, contributing to about 5.4 million metric tons in 2020. In comparison, the U.S. produced about 290,000 metric tons in the same year. The price of silicon metal reached 0.96 U.S. dollars per pound in 2020, while ferrosilicon (50% silicon) averaged about 1.04 U.S. dollars per pound.

U.S. silicon exports and consumption

About 31,000 metric tons of silicon metal and 4,000 metric tons of ferrosilicon was exported from the United States in 2020. The country consumed about 560,000 metric tons in the same year. Silicon is a diverse element, accounting for about 30 percent of the Earth’s crust and is one of the most abundant elements. Its versatility affords great use from the industrial sector. It is commonly used in the electronics industry, as part of cylinder heads or machine tools. It is also used in the commercial sector, for example, as an oil in cosmetics and hair conditioners.