Two dead following fatal explosion at Elkem silicones plant

Oslo, Norway – Elkem ASA has reported two fatalities following an explosion at a pilot workshop at the Elkem Silicones site in Saint-Fons, in Lyon, France late last month.

Two further employees remain hospitalised following the accident which took place 22 Dec 2025, said Elkem in a statement.

An internal investigation by Elkem and external investigations by the local authorities in France have been initiated.

“We will thoroughly investigate what caused this tragedy and identify actions that can be taken to prevent it from ever happening again, said Elkem CEO Helge Aasen.

Elkem said it temporarily shut down operations at both the North and South sites in Saint-Fons on 22 Dec, slightly ahead of its planned year-end closure that was scheduled to last until 5 Jan.

The Oslo-based supplier is currently in the process of divesting its silicones division, having entered an “exclusive sales process” with a “major industrial player” in September last year.