The China government was expected to announce the preliminary results of its anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation against polysilicon firms from the EU, US, and South Korea on February 20. However, according to China-based media, the announcement will likely occur in March.
According to international material providers, some firms received investigation-related documents in February with the deadline for the documents set for the end of February. Therefore, it is unlikely the government will announce its preliminary results on schedule. International material providers believe the announcement will likely be made in April or May.
China-based solar firms noted that the assessment process has begun.
Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Danyang Shen noted on February 20 that the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on polysilicon imports are still ongoing and the preliminary and final verdicts will be announced at the right time, according to China-based media.
The Ministry of Commerce began the investigations in November 2012 and according to Shen, the government has one year to complete the investigations.
China's polysilicon probe has caused the domestic spot price of polysilicon to increase to US$16-17/kg from US$15/kg. China-based tier-one players hope to increase the price to US$20/kg after the Lunar New Year holidays.
Due to careful inventory controls by international polysilicon firms, the international price of polysilicon returned to US$20/kg in January 2013.
