Elkem has secured 1.8 million euros in funding from the European Union for the groundbreaking Elkem Sicalo??(silicon production with carbon looping) project, which aims to eliminate CO2 emissions from silicon production.

Elkem, SINTEF and the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE) have completed the first pilot phase of Elkem Sicalo??at Elkem’s technology park in Kristiansand, Norway. The research partners are now initiating the second phase of the project with extensive pilot testing of various stages of the production process.

By capturing the carbon emitted from the silicon furnace and reusing it as a reductant in the silicon production process, the project aims to achieve net zero emissions. It was launched in 2021, with support from the Research Council of Norway from 2022-2024.

Silicon application ranges from electric vehicles to solar cells, batteries, smart phones and wind turbines. The production of silicon is a source of greenhouse gas emissions, as the process requires carbon to reduce quartz into silicon. The pioneering project is expected to be a game changer in silicon production.

Elkem will work with other partners to expand the technology to other metals, helping to achieve zero emissions during production of silicon and manganese. If successful and fully implemented in all European production of silicon and manganese, the technology could save 33 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year in 2050.