MUSCAT: Oman-based United Solar Polysilicon (USP) has welcomed new US trade measures aimed at strengthening the American domestic polysilicon industry and improving the resilience of solar and semiconductor supply chains
USP, which operates a major polysilicon production plant in Suhar, said in a statement that the US policy could shift purchasing decisions towards security, traceability and supply diversification.
The measures stem from a presidential proclamation signed by US President Donald Trump on August 6, 2026, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, following a US assessment of the national-security implications of reliance on foreign polysilicon and related products. The proclamation establishes minimum import prices across the polysilicon value chain and a 15 per cent tariff on specified downstream products, with the new measures taking effect on December 4, 2026.
Under the proclamation, polysilicon imports face a minimum price of $21 per kilogramme, while separate price floors apply to ingots and wafers, solar cells and solar modules. The measures also impose an additional 15 per cent ad valorem duty on covered downstream polysilicon derivatives. The minimum import price applies to polysilicon from all origins.
United Solar said the action reflects growing recognition of polysilicon as a strategically important material rather than a conventional commodity input. The company said the global application of the price floor could encourage US buyers to place greater weight on supply security, traceability and diversification alongside price.
The measures distinguish between raw polysilicon and downstream products. Raw polysilicon is subject to the minimum import price but not the additional ad valorem duty, while ingots, wafers, cells and modules are subject to both. United Solar said the structure could support investment in US-based ingot, wafer and cell manufacturing while maintaining access to polysilicon feedstock.
“The United States has recognised polysilicon as a strategic material and we welcome that”, said Binyam Giorgis, Group CFO of United Solar. “When a price floor applies to polysilicon of every origin, the question for a buyer is no longer just the cheapest price but scale, reliability and verified traceability”.
United Solar launched its 100,000-tonne-per-year polysilicon facility at Sohar Freezone in January 2026. At full capacity, the plant is expected to support production of approximately 40 gigawatts of solar modules annually, making it one of the largest polysilicon manufacturing facilities outside China.
United Solar said its FEOC-compliant, high-purity polysilicon is supplied to tier-one wafer, cell and module manufacturers with full supply-chain traceability. The company said it is prepared to support independent third-party audits, certificates of origin and supply-chain due diligence as the new US measures come into effect.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
