Elkem delves into silicon production augmented by carbon capture and reuse.

Elkem

The Norwegian silicon producer Elkem is exploring an innovative approach to silicon manufacturing that integrates carbon capture and reuse, aiming to scale this method industrially by the early 2030s. The Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment-owned organization, Enova SF, has allocated 31 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $2.9 million) to support a medium-scale pilot project in Kristiansand, Norway.

Traditionally, silicon metal is produced by reducing quartz or quartzite with a carbon source such as coke, coal, or wood chips in an electric arc furnace, where silica reacts with carbon to produce molten silicon metal and carbon monoxide gas. The carbon monoxide can further react with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO2).

Under Elkem's innovative Sicalo concept, the carbon emitted during this process will be captured and recycled back into the silicon production cycle as a reducing agent, nearly eliminating all direct CO2 emissions. Despite the standard process's high energy demand—requiring 10-14 MWh per ton of silicon metal—Elkem utilizes over 80% emissions-free electricity and manages to reclaim some energy.

Elkem is nearing completion of the first research phase, which includes laboratory tests on various subprocesses. The Research Council of Norway had earlier contributed NKr16 million to this phase of the project.

Earlier in January, Elkem announced the completion of its initial carbon capture and storage pilot at its Rana facility in Norway, which achieved capture rates of up to 95%.