Silicon
About Silicon
Silicon is the foundational material of the semiconductor industry and the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust. High-purity polysilicon is essential for both computer chips and solar photovoltaic cells, while metallurgical-grade silicon is used in aluminum alloys and silicones. China dominates the production of solar-grade polysilicon, a key bottleneck in the renewable energy supply chain.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Si
- Atomic Number
- 14
- Category
- Technology Metal
- Criticality Level
- Medium
- Supply Risk
- Medium
- Top Producer
- China
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Listed
Explore Silicon In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Silicon value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Silicon across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Silicon supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Silicon is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Silicon products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Silicon.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Silicon.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Silicon, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Silicon pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Silicon value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Silicon worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Silicon.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.