Elkem targets net zero emissions by 2050 in new climate roadmap

Oslo – Elkem SA has laid out its sustainability targets in a new ‘climate roadmap’, which will see the materials supplier reducing its CO2 emissions by just under 30% over the next decade and to zero by 2050.

In a statement 13 Oct, the Norway-based supplier of silicones and silicon-based materials said it aimed to lower its direct and indirect emissions by 28% from 3.3 million tonnes of fossil CO2 equivalents today to 2.4 million tonnes by 2031.

Elkem noted that the majority of its direct emissions come from its smelters in Europe, particularly in Norway and Iceland. The majority of the company’s indirect emissions come from China and the use of fossil fuels in the electricity mix.

To achieve the target, Elkem said it would change the reduction material in its smelting process to biomass, shift to using more renewable power in China, pursue a more low-carbon supply chain and explore the potential of more carbon capture at its smelters. 

The company said it had already progressed the share of biomass in its process to more than 20%, now aiming for 50% by 2030. 

China, it added, is also currently investing significantly in new renewable energy which the company expects to support further improvements in the energy mix going forward.

Furthermore, the supplier will target green industries and deliver an overall 39% improvement in its product carbon footprint over the next decade.

The ‘green markets’, it said, include better buildings, electric vehicles and renewable energy.

In addition, the company will set up new businesses for green markets such as battery materials, biomass and energy recovery. 

Elkem currently supplies silicone solutions for EV battery protection, and said it had already supplied to more than 1 million EVs – 15% of the market – on the road today.

Expecting an ‘exponential growth’ in the market, Elkem has set up Vianode as new entity dedicated to growth opportunities for advanced battery materials.

The company also said that it aimed to increase the use of circular materials and is currently working closely with customers and researchers to advance such technologies within its own operations.

“Elkem is currently participating in a project with the potential of reducing the carbon footprint of silicones by more than 65% through chemical recycling,” it added.