Elkem to test the world's first pilot carbon capture plant for smelters

Elkem, a global leader in advanced silicon-based materials, has announced the testing of the world's first pilot carbon capture for silicon plants at its plant in Rana, Norway. The project is a follow-up to the company's recently launched climate roadmap to reduce emissions to zero while increasing supplies to move to the green zone. The carbon capture pilot project is a collaboration between Elkem and Mo Industripark, SINTEF, Alcoa, Celsa, Ferroglobe, SMA Mineral, Norcem, Norfrakalk, Arctic Cluster Team and Aker Carbon Capture. The test unit will be installed at Elkem's plant in Rana, which produces high purity ferrosilicon and silica fume. In addition, emissions from SMA Mineral will also gradually enter the wastewater treatment plant. Aker Carbon Capture is supplying a test sample that is the only one of its kind in Norway. The main goal of the project is to test the technology on real industrial waste gases from smelters to prepare a full-scale industrial carbon capture plant. The program runs for two years. Elkem recently released a global climate roadmap detailing how the company plans to reduce its total CO2 emissions by 28% between 2020 and 2031 while increasing its supply to green. thereby improving the carbon footprint of our products by 39% over the same period. According to Trond Sæterstad, Climate Director at Elkem, “The installation of a test facility at Elkem Rana means that we are now moving one step further. The work to be done in Rana will also have significant implications for other factories both at Elkem and for the rest of the industry. ”“ There is a need to reduce carbon emissions. In addition, this project will create new jobs and ensure the competitiveness of the industry. This is also in line with the sustainable development strategy of Mo Industrial Park, and this initiative will add important best practices to the region, ”says Jan Gabor, Executive Vice President Property Development at Mo Industrial Park.