The Research Council of Norway (RCN) has awarded Elkem AS, an overseas subsidiary of Bluestar, more than 40 million Norwegian Krones (about 33 million yuan) for six new projects in 2017. All six projects will give valuable contributions to Elkem’s long term strategy for improved product specialization and reduced environmental footprint. The six projects are pyrolysis of wood optimized for production of energy and tailor-made biochar for silicon production (PyrOpt), Thermoelectric Silicides (TESil), silicon production with no CO2 emissions (SiNoCO2), Wood Based Carbon Electrodes (WOCA), Agile CasT Iron Foundries (ACTIF), and Silicon-based intermetallics for Additive Manufacturing. PyrOpt and SiNoCO2 are two key projects of Elkem’s research programme for carbon neutral metal production.
PyrOpt conducted with the cooperation between SINTEF and Paper and Fibre Research Institute (PFI) will focus on resource-effective production of high quality charcoal. SiNoCO2, a project jointly undertaken by SINTEF and NTNU, is designed to study the possibilities of closing silicon and ferrosilicon ovens. The long term goal of the two projects is to optimize the energy for production and save resources by developing CO2 neutral production processes through the replacement of fossil reduction agents with bio-based reduction agents in the form of sustainable biocarbon.
TESil, a project to be done by Elkem cooperating with TEGma and SINTEF, will develop next generation thermoelectric material for converting waste heat into electricity. With the cooperation between Elkem and Borregaard, WOCA aims to develop bio-based binders for the metallurgical industry. Silicon-based intermetallics for Additive Manufacturing, a 3D printing project jointly by Elkem and SINTEF, is aimed at producing equipment and machines which can handle high temperature and great wear and tear. In addition, Elkem, in collaboration with three Norwegian foundries (Mandal Castings AS, Ulefos Jernv?rk AS, Furnes Jernst?peri AS) and SINTEF, aims to improve their competitiveness by developing high-performance tailor-made cast iron alloys.
Characterized by a strong will to conduct long-term R&D work, the 113-year-old Elkem is dedicated to advancing the production of silicon metal and materials through innovation projects. More than 370 employees work on R&D related issues in Elkem. Elkem’s own financing for these projects will be about twice the amount of the awarded funds from RCN.
Elkem’s investment in these projects is intended to maintain a leading position in technology and provide customers with the best products and services. These projects reflect Elkem’s efforts in environmental protection and production. The funding from RCN awarded to Elkem and its partners is an important enabler for the comprehensive portfolio of R&D investments, says H?vard Moe, Senior Vice President of Elkem in Technology.