Ferroglobe USA, Inc. and Mississippi Silicon LLC have taken legal action against the import of silicon metal from Angola, Australia, Laos, Norway, and Thailand, alleging that these imports are being sold at artificially low prices, which is detrimental to the U.S. manufacturing industry. The companies have submitted antidumping and countervailing duty petitions to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission, with claims of import pricing margins reaching up to 337.84%. Silicon metal, a critical material containing at least 85% elemental silicon, plays a vital role in the production of aluminum, silicones, and polysilicon, which are essential for semiconductor, solar, and electronics applications.
Marco Levi, CEO of Ferroglobe PLC, highlighted the adverse effects of dumped and subsidized imports on the domestic market, stating that these practices have severely impacted the competitive position of U.S. producers. Echoing Levi's concerns, Eddie Boardwine, CEO of Mississippi Silicon, stressed the ability of American manufacturers to compete on a global scale, provided that the playing field is level. The current import practices, however, are causing significant harm to the domestic industry, according to Boardwine.
The petitions specifically target all forms of silicon metal that contain between 85.00% and 99.99% silicon and less than 4.00% iron. The U.S. Department of Commerce is slated to begin its investigations by May 14, 2025, with the International Trade Commission expected to make a preliminary determination by June 9, 2025. This legal move underscores the broader challenges U.S. manufacturers face in safeguarding competitive market conditions and preserving domestic production capabilities in the strategic materials sector. For more information on the impact of silicon metal on the U.S. economy, visit https://www.commerce.gov.
