REC Silicon could restart production in June

MOSES LAKE — REC Silicon is projecting it will have Moses Lake operations back up and running at full capacity in June, according to company officials.

The status of the Moses Lake plant will depend on conditions of the polysilicon market and the trade dispute with China. However, in its fourth quarter 2015 presentation in February, REC Silicon CEO Tore Torvund indicated the company expects to restart production in Moses Lake in June.

During the presentation, REC Silicon officials discussed the company’s financial performance in the final quarter of 2015, as well as projections and near term strategies for the coming months and years.

It is prudent to note that the company’s anticipation of restarting Moses Lake operations is dependent upon a number of factors, including its inventory levels, market demand, and the status of the trade war with China. The anticipation that production will be back to full capacity in June is based on projected market conditions and other factors.

Torvund said during the February presentation that essentially two strategies are on the table for REC Silicon in the near term: continue to strive for a resolution to the trade dispute, and find a way to operate if the dispute continues.

As far as the dispute with China goes, Torvund said the process is “political” and while the company has been optimistic about reaching a resolution, it has not yet been successful in doing so. He said both countries have something to gain from a resolution.

For the full story, pick up Friday's Columbia Basin Herald.