- Silicon price stands at $1,402.89 per tonne on the SMM East China #553 benchmark
- SMM grades rise consistently this cycle, up roughly 1-4% across the board
- FOB export and domestic ex-works pricing both firm modestly
- China produces roughly two-thirds of global silicon output
- Aluminium alloying remains the largest single end-use for metallurgical silicon
- Weight and currency conversion tables included for procurement teams
Last Updated: 4 September 2026
The silicon price stands at $1,402.89 per tonne on the SMM East China #553 benchmark as of 4 September 2026. This page now tracks the SMM domestic benchmark as its primary reference; a Trading Economics CNY-denominated figure used in prior cycles was not refreshed this month and has been left out rather than carried forward. Silicon is traded primarily in Chinese yuan on domestic markets — China produces approximately two-thirds of global output — with regional export prices quoted in USD by the Shanghai Metals Market across multiple purity grades.
Current Silicon Price
The table below shows the current silicon price across SMM’s principal benchmarks. SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) publishes daily prices across multiple silicon grades and delivery locations — the FOB (free on board) export prices are most relevant to international buyers, while domestic ex-works prices reflect the Chinese internal market.
| Benchmark | Price | Unit | Change | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMM East China #553 (all-grade average) | $1,402.89 | USD/tonne | -0.12 (day) | 4 Sep 2026 |
| SMM #553 Silicon — FOB Huangpu Port | $1,325.00 | USD/tonne | +0.76% (month) | 4 Sep 2026 |
| SMM #441 Silicon — FOB Huangpu Port | $1,355.00 | USD/tonne | +0.74% (month) | 4 Sep 2026 |
| SMM #421 Silicon — FOB Huangpu Port | $1,450.00 | USD/tonne | Unchanged (month) | 4 Sep 2026 |
| SMM #553 Silicon — East China Standard (ex-works) | $1,380.62 | USD/tonne | +3.86% (month) | 4 Sep 2026 |
| SMM #441 Silicon — East China (ex-works) | $1,425.16 | USD/tonne | +4.31% (month) | 4 Sep 2026 |
| SMM #553 Silicon — Xinjiang (ex-works) | $1,298.97 | USD/tonne | +4.08% (month) | 4 Sep 2026 |
Silicon grade designations follow a three-digit impurity code: the digits represent the maximum percentage content of iron (Fe), aluminium (Al), and calcium (Ca) respectively. #553 indicates a maximum of 0.5% Fe, 0.5% Al, and 0.3% Ca — the standard industrial grade used in aluminium alloys and silicone production. #441 and #421 are higher-purity grades commanding a price premium, used in more demanding chemical and electronics applications. The spread between Xinjiang ex-works ($1,298.97) and FOB Huangpu export ($1,325.00) for #553 grade reflects inland logistics, port handling, and export margin. Every SMM grade tracked here rose this cycle, a consistent modest uptick of roughly 1-4% that reverses last cycle’s flat-to-slightly-down pattern.
Silicon Price Per Gram, Per Kilogram and Per Pound
The table below converts the current silicon price from the standard per-tonne benchmark into smaller units used by specialty chemical buyers, laboratory procurement teams, and electronics material sourcing.
| Unit | Silicon Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per tonne | $1,402.89 | SMM East China #553 benchmark, Sep 2026 |
| Per kilogram | $1.40 | Calculated from per-tonne rate |
| Per gram | $0.0014 | Calculated from per-kg rate |
| Per pound (lb) | $0.64 | 1 lb = 453.6g |
These figures reflect metallurgical-grade silicon (#553 benchmark). Semiconductor-grade silicon — purified to 99.9999999% purity for use in integrated circuits and solar wafers — commands a substantial premium and is priced through separate supply contracts rather than commodity spot markets. Prices are indicative and updated monthly. For contract pricing, consult the Shanghai Metals Market or regional distributors directly.
Silicon Price History
Longer-term silicon price history reflects cycles tied to Chinese energy policy and power availability. Yunnan and Sichuan provinces — major silicon-producing regions that rely on hydroelectric power — experience seasonal price swings linked to rainfall and reservoir levels. Periods of drought reduce hydropower availability, increasing energy costs for the energy-intensive electric arc furnace production process and tightening supply. The 2021–2022 price spike that drove silicon sharply higher in some periods was partly attributable to Chinese power rationing policies alongside raw material shortages. This month’s consistent, modest rise across every SMM grade suggests firming demand or tightening supply conditions rather than the flat-to-declining pattern seen in the prior cycle, though one month of data isn’t enough to confirm a new trend.
Silicon Price in USD, EUR, GBP and Other Currencies
Silicon is traded internationally in USD even though the Chinese domestic market is denominated in CNY. European aluminium alloy producers, US semiconductor manufacturers, and Japanese silicone chemical companies all purchase silicon across multiple currency zones. The table below converts the current SMM benchmark into the six currencies most relevant to CMN’s readership.
| Currency | Silicon Price (per tonne) | Exchange Rate (vs USD) |
|---|---|---|
| USD (benchmark) | $1,402.89 | — |
| EUR | €1,207.85 | 1 USD = 0.86092 EUR |
| GBP | £1,037.86 | 1 USD = 0.73985 GBP |
| JPY | ¥219,172 | 1 USD = 156.23 JPY |
| CNY | ¥9,417.00 | 1 USD = 6.713 CNY |
| AUD | A$1,947.45 | 1 USD = 1.3881 AUD |
Exchange rates: XE.com, September 2026. Note that the CNY figure above is a currency conversion of the USD-denominated SMM benchmark, not a native Chinese domestic quote — international buyers should reference FOB export prices in the table above, which carry a premium above the domestic ex-works rate.
What Drives the Silicon Price?
The silicon price is shaped by a combination of Chinese energy economics, global industrial demand, and the distinct requirements of the metal’s three principal end-use sectors.
Chinese Energy Costs and Production Geography
China accounts for approximately two-thirds of global silicon production, with output concentrated in provinces including Xinjiang, Yunnan, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, and Qinghai. Production is highly energy-intensive — silicon is made by carbothermically reducing quartz in electric arc furnaces — making electricity cost the dominant variable in the cost structure. Xinjiang benefits from low-cost coal power, producing the cheapest silicon in the SMM price tables ($1,298.97/tonne for #553 grade). Yunnan and Sichuan rely on hydropower, creating seasonal price volatility tied to water levels. Any Chinese policy affecting industrial electricity tariffs or carbon emissions from arc furnaces directly influences the global silicon price.
Aluminium Alloy Demand
The largest single end-use for metallurgical-grade silicon is aluminium-silicon alloys (silumin), used extensively in automotive casting. Approximately 55% of metallurgical silicon consumption goes to aluminium alloy production, primarily for automotive components where silicon-aluminium eutectic mixtures provide superior casting properties and wear resistance. Automotive production volumes and the mix between internal combustion and electric vehicle platforms — both of which use aluminium intensively — therefore have a direct bearing on silicon demand and price.
Silicone Chemical Production
Silicon is the feedstock for silicone polymers — a broad family of materials used in sealants, lubricants, medical devices, electronics encapsulation, and construction. The #421 grade and higher are required for silicone production, commanding a premium over standard #553. Growth in construction activity, consumer electronics manufacturing, and medical device production supports this demand segment, while overcapacity in Chinese silicone production has periodically weighed on the price premium for higher grades.
Polysilicon and Solar Manufacturing
Metallurgical-grade silicon is the upstream feedstock for polysilicon, which is in turn the input for photovoltaic solar wafers and semiconductor substrates. The solar supply chain has experienced significant overcapacity in China through 2024–2026, suppressing polysilicon prices and reducing the demand pull on upstream metallurgical silicon from this segment.
Semiconductor Applications
Semiconductor-grade silicon — purified to better than 99.9999999% purity for integrated circuit and advanced solar cell manufacturing — is a distinct market from metallurgical silicon. The refining steps from metallurgical grade to semiconductor grade add substantial cost and are primarily undertaken in Japan, Germany, South Korea, and the United States, as well as China. Semiconductor silicon demand is driven by the global electronics cycle, data centre build-out, and AI chip manufacturing volumes. This market does not trade on commodity spot prices and is not reflected in the SMM benchmarks above.
Silicon Supply Chain and Critical Minerals Context
Silicon occupies an unusual position in the critical minerals landscape: it is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, yet its refined forms — metallurgical silicon, polysilicon, and semiconductor-grade silicon wafers — are concentrated in a small number of production facilities, many of them in China. The energy intensity of production and China’s dominant market share create supply chain exposure for Western manufacturers of solar panels, semiconductors, aluminium alloys, and silicone chemicals.
The United States, European Union, and Japan have each identified silicon supply chains as strategic priorities. US domestic silicon production of approximately 170,000 tonnes per year — primarily from operations in the southeast — represents a fraction of Chinese output. Norway (330,000 tonnes) and Brazil (240,000 tonnes) are the largest non-Chinese producers, supplying primarily to European markets.
For broader coverage of silicon’s role in semiconductor and solar manufacturing supply chains, see CMN’s Supply Chain section.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Prices are subject to change without notice.
What is the current silicon price?
See the current silicon price table above, updated monthly. The Chinese domestic benchmark is quoted in CNY per tonne on Trading Economics. SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) separately publishes daily prices for multiple silicon grades and delivery locations in USD per tonne, including FOB export prices relevant to international buyers.
What is the silicon price per kg?
The silicon price per kilogram and per gram are calculated from the per-tonne benchmark. See the weight conversion table above for current figures, updated monthly. Note that metallurgical-grade silicon is a bulk industrial commodity — per-gram pricing is provided for reference but silicon is not commercially traded in gram quantities at spot prices.
What drives the silicon price?
The silicon price is primarily driven by Chinese energy costs — production is electricity-intensive, and power tariffs in key producing provinces directly affect the cost structure. Demand from aluminium alloy manufacturing (the largest end-use), silicone chemical production, and polysilicon for solar panels are the main demand drivers. Seasonal hydropower availability in Yunnan and Sichuan creates recurring price volatility in the domestic Chinese market.
Who produces the most silicon?
China dominates global silicon production, accounting for approximately two-thirds of world output, with key producing regions including Xinjiang, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Inner Mongolia. Russia is the second-largest producer, followed by Norway, Brazil, and the United States. Unlike most critical minerals, silicon raw material (quartz) is globally abundant — the production bottleneck is energy availability and processing capacity rather than ore scarcity.
What is silicon used for?
Metallurgical-grade silicon is used primarily in aluminium-silicon alloys for automotive casting (approximately 55% of consumption), silicone polymer production, and as the upstream feedstock for polysilicon used in solar panels and semiconductors. Higher-purity semiconductor-grade silicon — refined to 99.9999999% purity — is the base material for integrated circuits, transistors, and advanced photovoltaic cells. Silicon compounds including silicates and silica are also used in cement, glass, ceramics, and construction materials.
Is silicon the same as silicone?
No. Silicon is a chemical element (symbol Si, atomic number 14) and an industrial commodity traded as metallurgical-grade metal. Silicone is a synthetic polymer made from silicon — the production chain runs from quartz to metallurgical silicon to chlorosilanes to silicone products such as sealants, lubricants, and medical devices. The silicon price tracked on this page refers to the elemental metal, not silicone polymers.
Why is China dominant in silicon production?
China’s dominance reflects a combination of low-cost energy (particularly coal power in Xinjiang), abundant domestic quartz reserves, established industrial infrastructure, and decades of capacity investment. The energy intensity of electric arc furnace silicon production means electricity cost is the primary competitive variable — regions with low power costs can produce silicon significantly more cheaply than higher-cost jurisdictions. This creates structural supply chain dependence for Western manufacturers of solar panels, semiconductors, and aluminium components.
