Globe Specialty Metals will consider switching ferro-silicon capacity to silicon metal output in 2015 if prices for the latter product continue to improve.

"At the price levels today of silicon metal, the margins are higher on silicon metal than on ferro-silicon," ceo Jeff Bradley said in an August 27 earnings conference call. "If we do have an opportunity to convert furnaces [from ferro-silicon to silicon metal production] we would definitely look at doing that." Silicon metal prices have trended up consistently over the past year, moving to a range of $1.44-1.47 per lb.

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