OSLO, Norway—A global provider of silicone-based materials and solutions will invest in what it says is the "world's first carbon capture pilot for (silicon) smelters."
"Elkem aims to be part of the solution to combat climate change—and to be one of the winners in the green transition," said Elkem CEO Helge Aasen. "Our mission is to provide advanced material solutions shaping a better and more sustainable future. We have recently launched a climate road map detailing our ambitions to reduce emissions while growing our supplies to the green transition."
Elkem said it will conduct initial tests on the process at its plant in Rana, Norway. Gassnova CLIMIT has provided financial assistance to Elkem in the endeavor. The Rana plant produces high-purity ferrosilicon and microsilica.
Elkem and Mo Industripark, SINTEF, Alcoa, Celsa, Ferroglobe, SMA Mineral, Norcem, Norfrakalk, Arctic Cluster Team and Aker Carbon Capture are partnering in the effort.
"The main goal of the project is to verify the technology on real industrial exhaust gases from smelters, in order to prepare a full-scale plant for industrial carbon capture," Elkem stated in an Oct. 22 press release.
The program, with a budget of about $2.8 million, will run over a two-year period. If all goes well, the technology will be installed at Elkem plants in Bjolvefossen, Bremanger, Rana, Salten and Thamshavn, all located in Norway.
"The test unit installation at Elkem Rana means that we are now moving one step forward. The work to be done in Rana will also be of great relevance to other plants both in Elkem and for other players in the industry," said Trond Sæterstad, climate director at Elkem.
The project is expected to create new jobs and ensure competition in the industry.
"Carbon capture is a key technology to reach net zero by 2050," Aasen said.