China considering restrictions on polysilicon, wafer exports – pv magazine International

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the Ministry of Science and Know-how (MOST) introduced that they plan to revise the Catalog of Applied sciences Prohibited and Prohibited for Export.

In a joint assertion, the 2 ministries mentioned that three applied sciences associated to the PV manufacturing business may very well be included within the catalog – wafers, black silicon, and ingot casting. If these three classes are added to the listing of restrictions, producers should request a know-how export license from the respective provincial departments for exporting these merchandise.

China will account for greater than 98% of worldwide wafer manufacturing for the photo voltaic business in 2021, in line with experiences from the China Photovoltaic Trade Affiliation (CPIA). Though this plan continues to be in a public session part, this check exhibits the nation’s ambition to guard probably the most superior photo voltaic know-how and keep the competitiveness of the photo voltaic business.

“Such technology-related export restrictions aren’t new,” Frank Haugwitz – the director of the Asia Europe Clear Vitality (Photo voltaic) Advisory (AECEA) – mentioned pv journal. “The ultimate model of this listing was printed in August 2020 however took a superb two years to come back to fruition after a session course of.”

“Mainly, the objective is evident, which signifies that China needs to keep up the ‘lead’ on this a part of the worth chain, Haugwitz additional defined. “On the similar time, should you think about the years of serious funding in wafer R&D, this isn’t stunning. On the one hand, this impacts plant producers, but in addition producers who could also be pondering of establishing wafer manufacturing in different areas. In different phrases, such switch of know-how overseas may also be topic to such restrictions. “