Polysilicon prices have seen continuous hikes in the past two weeks due to the explosion at Jiangsu Zhongneng’s chemical plant in Xinjiang and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. In particular, mono polysilicon closing prices increased by more than 10% on average, which led wafer suppliers to increase wafer prices. As a result of rising wafer prices, the downswing in global PV module prices rebounded into an uptrend instead.
The border restrictions and national lockdowns instituted by various governments due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact in 1Q20 resulted in low inventory levels for clients of packaging and testing (OSAT, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test) companies and for distribution channels as well, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. As the supply chain gradually recovered in 2Q20, governments began instituting fiscal policies to stimulate the economy. These factors, combined with the rise of the stay-at-home economy, led to an increased restocking demand from downstream clients, in turn providing a boost to OSAT revenue, which reached US$6.325 billion in 2Q20, a 26.6% increase YoY.
Downstream LED lighting demand is highly correlated with the state of the overall economy, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. LED lighting manufacturers, such as Signify, Acuity Brands, Zumtobel, Leotek (a subsidiary of Lite-On Group), and Unilumin, have each released new outdoor smart lighting products and integrated smart lighting solutions, which are likely to raise the penetration rate of smart LED street lights. TrendForce predicts the global LED smart street light market (which includes only luminaires and single lighting control systems) to reach US$1.094 in total revenue, with a CAGR of 8.2% from 2019 to 2024.
BOE and CSOT strategically adjusted their Gen 8.5 production lines by shifting some production capacities from TV panels to monitor panels instead, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic generated a massive demand for WFH and distance learning, leading to an increase in IT product shipments. As a result of these developments, the market share of Chinese monitor panel manufacturers rose to 38% in 1H20.
5G communications have seen various uses in telemedicine and industrial IoT during the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. Primary applications of 5G during this period include contactless disinfection robots, remote work, and distance learning. Currently, China has been most aggressive in developing 5G networks, with more than 400 5G-related innovative applications in transportation, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare in 1H20. At the same time, the emergence of 5G services has created a corresponding surge in base station demand.
