The price of the second most abundant chemical element on earth has multiplied by four

in Planète & Environnement, TechnologieCrédits : W.Oelen / Wikipedia

PAYOHAN residence, scientific editor

Composing about a quarter of the earth's crust, silicon is after oxygen the most abundant chemical element on earth.Despite this profusion, this element has seen its price bound in a dazzling way, which is obviously not without consequences for many industries.

An increase of 300 %

Silicon is the chemical atomic number 14 (SI symbol).This is the most abundant element in the earth's crust after oxygen, or 25.7 % of its mass.In exobiology, research relates to the possibility that elsewhere in space, life forms could have developed on a basis of silicon and not carbon as on earth.

Nevertheless, silicon is much better known to represent one of the sides of modern technology.This element is indeed in the composition of fleas (or electronic integrated circuits), but also solar panels, concrete or glass.Unfortunately according to a Bloomberg article on October 1, 2021, the price of silicon climbed 300 % despite its abundance.

When a global shortage is born, observing China is often a good indicator.World's leading silicon producer, this country is currently struggling with a large energy crisis.

Many sectors potentially affected

Right now, China faces an increase in charcoal and gas prices and an increase in demand.It is also a question of drought slowing the operation of hydroelectric dams as well as the implementation of measures to slow down climatic disruption.In short, there are many reasons that have disrupted electricity consumption in this country, and in this worrying context, industries are rationing.

In the province of Yunnan where we still produce 20 % of Chinese silicon, the authorities have ordered a slowdown in production up to 90 %.In another province, namely Sichuan (13 % of production), power cuts are also.This has therefore generated an increase in prices and various industries worldwide will be impacted if the problem persists.Let us quote the sector of photovoltaic panels, using polycrystalline silicon whose price has exploded, leading to an increase in solar prices after a constant drop for several years.

In addition to the production of solar panels, the aluminum sector could also suffer from the current situation.Indeed, silicon is used in many alloys.Let us also mention the production of electronic chips-already greatly disturbed by the health crisis in connection with the COVID-19-equally threatened by the rise in silicon prices.