Towards a Climate-Friendly Ferroalloy Industry in Norway

Abstract

Elkem and Eramet, with its subsidiary Eramet Norway, produce materials useful for a low emission society, in a resource effective way and with one of the lowest climate footprints. Such high standards give increased competitivity, not only in the context of being greener and thereby more attractive, but also improving the profitability. Both companies have set goals for reduction of emission of greenhouse gases from their production and aim at reducing their CO2 emissions for Norwegian smelters by 40% within 2030, in line with EU targets. A structured analysis of options has led to similar strategies for the two companies. These strategies were made concrete through roadmaps, and ultimately actions and investments. The reduction initiatives can be divided into four main areas, roughly reflecting time phases, from short term (2025) to long term (2050 and beyond): improvement of existing processes in resource and energy efficiency, increase or introduction of biomass based reductants to replace fossil carbonaceous materials, carbon capture and usage (CCU) or storage (CCS), and development of innovative technologies. Building on a tradition of cooperation on research in environment and safety, Eramet Norway and Elkem have capitalized on developments from their own R&D, academic and research partners. All actions are rooted in scientific and techno-economic studies. Open innovation is necessary when developing technologies outside the core competence of the companies. Key R&D projects, pilots and current industrial implementations are listed before detailing some projects in the two companies.