U.S. spot silicon prices are set for an upward move, but just how quickly they climb will be dictated by the pace at which Globe Specialty Metals Inc. brings production online at its recommissioned Niagara Falls, N.Y., plant, market participants told AMM.

Spot U.S. silicon metal prices are in a range of $1.23 to $1.25 per pound vs. $1.20 to $1.25 two weeks ago.

Dow Corning Corp. last week bought a 100-percent interest in Brazilian silicon metal manufacturer Globe Metais Industria e Comercio SA and a 49-percent stake in Globe's silicon manufacturing operation in Alloy, W.Va. (AMM, Nov. 6). Between the two plants, Dow purchased about 77,000 tonnes of silicon metal production from Globe for $175 million.