Elkem ASA

When the British chemist Frederic Stanley Kipping first made silicon-based polymers in the early 1900s, he realized that they must contain long chains of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. He therefore gave them the name ‘silicones’, on that basis that the repeating unit essentially was a silicon equivalent of a ketone. Apparently, adding one letter to a word can make all the difference in the world. Silicon and silicones are structurally different, which means they also have different properties. Let's look at some of the differences between silicon and silicones: 🌡️ The flexibility of silicones makes them thermally insulating because they strongly absorb thermal vibrations. In contrast, silicon has a very rigid structure, meaning the vibrations are easily transmitted, and in fact making pure silicon an unusually good conductor of heat. 💧 Pure silicon does not contain other elements, unlike silicones which have carbon-containing groups. Silicones have non-polar alkyl groups on the outside, which makes them water-repellent due to weak interactions with water and other polar molecules. Silicon is also chemically unreactive, although for different reasons, as a layer of oxygen on its surface prevents it from reacting with other substances. 🔋 The electrons within silicones are tightly bound – so they cannot move around and conduct electricity, making silicones electrically insulating. The situation with silicon is somewhat different, because the application of heat will make the electrons move around and allow electricity to flow through – a phenomenon that increases as the temperature is increased, and which is a hallmark of semiconductors. ⚛️ Still, just like you cannot spell silicone without silicon; there is no silicone without silicon. The silicon–oxygen bonds in the ‘backbone’ of silicones are in fact pretty strong. This makes silicones resistant to thermal decomposition. Want to learn more about silicon and silicone? Click the link below👇 https://bit.ly/46X25DU

SILCOLEASE™ UV POLY 125 and POLY 126 are not just products; they are a statement of innovation and sustainability. These coatings redefine industry standards, offering a glimpse into the future of greener manufacturing. Moving towards a more sustainable world is part of the Sustainable commitment of Elkem thanks to : •☠️ Eliminate toxic substances (mercury, ozone) •📚 Enable compliance with regulations on mercury lamps •💡 Take advantage of the longer service life and increased productivity of LED lamp technology •🔋 Reduce energy consumption by at least 50% compared to using standard mercury lamps Watch our video to discover more about this innovation : #Elkem #MaterialScience #SILCOLEASE

📣 Calling all nanotechnology innovators!🔬 Elkem is launching an open innovation challenge for drying and redispersing silica nanoparticles. Challenge overview: Elkem is seeking innovative solutions to develop an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly process for drying and redispersing silica nanoparticles (SNPs). Why this challenge matters: Silica nanoparticles are crucial in various applications, including biomedicine, electronics, and water purification. In our specific application, we use microsilica (silica fume) in refractory castables and in high-performance concrete to increase the particle packing. Current drying methods drying SNPs often lead to aggregate formation, making them unsuitable for many end applications. We need a process that maintains the original size distribution, spherical shape, and specific surface area of the SNPs, and which can be scaled up to industrial volumes. Prize and submission details: 🏆 The best solution will win an award of $25,000. Submit a written proposal detailing your innovative process. 📅 Deadline: October 28th, 2024, 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time). Intellectual Property (IP) rights: Your IP Rights are protected in this prize challenge. Elkem must award you to obtain them. Solvers are required to grant non-exclusive rights to the IP if their proposed solution wins. There is no assignment of IP Rights with participation in this challenge, and participants will retain all rights to any proposal not awarded. Join the challenge: Ready to make a difference? Login or register on the Wazoku Crowd platform to start solving this challenge. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3XDzUpi Feel free to share this post within your networks and help us find the solution we need! #OpenInnovation #Nanotechnology #ElkemInnovation

Green industry innovation was the agenda of the day when Elkem's Technology R&D Center in Kristiansand hosted European Union Ambassador to Norway Nicolas de La Grandville, alongside Johanne Stavdal Engh of the EU Delegation to Norway. Our Center is involved in several Horizons Europe research and innovation projects, including high temperature pilot testing of processes to recycle waste streams from aluminum production and recovery of rare earth elements from magnets. ♻ Our visitors were also presented Elkem's Sicalo - Silicon production with carbon looping - concept, aiming to eliminate all carbon emissions from silicon production. This could be a game changer for the global silicon industry and constitutes one of the stepping stones of Elkem's road to net zero by 2050. #Greenindustry #sustainability #innovation #netzero

🔔 Elkem’s innovation in silicone release coatings marks a significant milestone in sustainable manufacturing. The SILCOLEASE™ UV POLY 125 and POLY 126 products stand out for their compatibility with both mercury and LED lamps, showcasing Elkem’s commitment to adaptable and future-proof solutions. These silicone coatings underscore the importance of environmentally responsible practices in the industry, as they contribute to reducing energy consumption and eliminating harmful substances. Elkem is at the forefront of supporting the industry’s shift towards a greener future.

A big thanks to the organisers of “Kraft – 2024 Konferansen” in Bodø for gathering politicians, and leaders from the power sector and industry over two days to discuss the opportunities for value and job creation in Northern Norway. 🌟Elkem plant manager for Salten Ove Sørdahl talked about our long-standing presence in Salten, Rana and Tana up North, where we’ve invested over NOK 3 billion in the past decade, generating significant revenues from exports of silicon and microsilica worldwide, and securing close to 400 jobs. Sustainability and innovation go hand-in-hand at Elkem, which Ove illustrated through our carbon capture and storage pilot underway in Rana – the world’s first CCS project for a smelter. How do we ensure that industry leaders such as Elkem keep creating jobs and producing critical raw materials in Norway for a better and more sustainable future? By… ⚡ Maintaining Norway’s power surplus, by ensuring additional consumption comes with additional supply of renewable energy 🏭 Ensuring that Norwegian power-intensive industry retains access to renewable energy at competitive prices, to be able to compete globally 🔋 Stepping up efforts to reach the full potential of energy-efficiency in industry. The cleanest energy is the one that isn’t used! Elkem builds facilities that produce power from surplus heat and has significant quantities of surplus heat at lower temperatures that could be used for district heating ♻️ Providing industry with the adequate framework conditions to build full-scale CCS plants, which could be a game changer in terms of emission cuts. Our project in Rana has the potential to capture 95% of CO2 from Elkem and Ferroglobe PLC’s plants, a total of 520.000 MT, for permanent storage, as well as recover all excess energy from both plants. #Greenindustry #sustainability #CCS 📸 : Espen Pedersen / Drone Nord

Our plant in Joinville, Brazil, has reduced its CO2 emissions by 48 tons since the installation of solar panels last year – that’s the equivalent of almost 300 trees! One of the environmental challenges facing the industrial sector is the search for renewable energy sources that reduce the environmental impact of the production processes. With the installation of solar panels on the roof of our plant in Joinville, the plant generates 40% of its electricity consumption with solar energy. This project is only one of several initiatives to create more sustainable operations in Joinville. In the latest article in Elkem Magazine, the plant manager, Samuel Beghine, also talks about the plant’s reuse of demineralized water production waste and rainwater collection. Click the link to read more about Samuel and the Joinville team! https://bit.ly/3AL0q8u #Sustainability #SolarPower #GreenIndustry

🌟 Embrace New Beginnings with Elkem! 🌟 As we step into September, the back-to-school season brings a wave of fresh opportunities and new beginnings. At Elkem, we believe in fostering growth, innovation, and excellence. Our values of involvement, respect, and continuous improvement guide us in creating a dynamic and inclusive workplace. We are excited to announce several vacancies across various departments, offering you the chance to be part of a global leader in the silicon-based materials industry. Whether you’re a Senior executive or just starting your career, Elkem provides a supportive environment where you can thrive and make a meaningful impact. Why Elkem? - Innovation: Be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and sustainable solutions. - Growth: Continuous learning and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential. - Community: Join a diverse and inclusive team that values collaboration and mutual respect. Explore our current openings and take the first step towards a rewarding career with Elkem. Let’s shape the future together! 🔗 Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/e5zPu_fC

Elkem is proud to sponsor Bodø/Glimt, a team that has shown great resilience and determination in their journey which almost took them to Champions League this year. Although the team did not advance past the qualifier against Red Star Belgrade, they are now set to play in the UEFA Europa League. Notably, one game does not encapsulate the developments in the team over the past years. The team’s success has contributed to Norway's rise in the rankings of European club football. Bodø/Glimt's success is not just a matter of sporting achievement, but also their role in the local community. They work closely with the local community which has created a strong and community-driven foundation for their success. This is a mindset Elkem shares, as we understand the importance of working with and supporting local communities. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Bodø/Glimt and follow their journey for the rest of season!

Elkem x Accon = big bags with recycled material ♻️ Elkem is transitioning to big bags with recycled material. By incorporating a minimum of 30% recycled polypropylene (rPP) into our big bags, we're reducing the carbon footprint from the bags by ~15% annually. Our supplier, Accon, is helping us make this transition with their closed-loop recycling system and advanced technology, including a biowater treatment system, ensuring the highest purity and quality. This transition supports the EU's Packaging Directive’s ambitious recycling targets for 2025 and 2030 and Elkem's commitment to reducing waste and promoting a circular economy - shaping a better and more sustainable future!