Silicon-based materials producer Elkem ASA has been awarded NOK32.8 million from Innovation Norway for the development of green products through the recycling of slag and silicon materials. The project aims to materially reduce CO2 emissions and promote a circular economy for materials used in the automotive and construction industry.
The grant, which has been awarded for the 2025-2026 period, comes from Innovation Norway’s Environmental Technology Scheme that supports the development, pilot testing, and demonstration of new environmental technology.
The project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the products, developing cement alternatives from slag from Elkem’s ferrosilicon smelters, with a CO2 footprint of less than a third of that of the average standard for cement. In addition, the project has a target of achieving recycling rates of over 50% in new products, utilising secondary silicon sources.
“The project has the potential to significantly lower CO2 emissions in the construction and automotive industries by replacing traditional products with recycled silicon and slag material streams. The project will transform by-products and materials currently seen as waste into valuable resources. By integrating recycled material streams into production, we support the transition to a circular economy, in line with national and international environmental goals for the green transition,” says Gro Eide, vice president of innovation at Elkem Silicon Products.
The testing will be conducted at REC Solar Norway’s former production facilities next to Elkem’s research centre at Fiskaa in Kristiansand, southern Norway.
Elkem acquired the facilities in 2024 for testing and optimisation of products and green production processes, hiring several former REC employees to work at the site.