Elkem Rana produces tons of ferrosilicon every year. The substance is important in, among other things, the production of steel and cast iron. But production has traditionally created large climate emissions. Now Elkem Rana is taking an important step in the right direction to limit emissions: – We are the first smelter in the world to carry out carbon capture. It may be one of the measures needed to achieve carbon-neutral production, says Frode Johan Berg, plant director at Elkem Rana. The project is an important pilot project. But if it is to be scaled up, it will require heavy investments. The carbon capture project is underway for Elkem Rana, Photo: Frank Nygård / news Will approve the technology The project is part of a collaboration between Mo Industripark AS, Sintef, Elkem, Alcoa, Celsa, Ferroglobe, SMA Mineral, Norcem, Norfrakalk, Arctic Cluster Team and Aker Carbon Capture. The actors have previously estimated that they can potentially reduce emissions by 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂. This corresponds to 3 percent of Norway’s total emissions. Mo Industripark is responsible for large climate emissions, but is now doing important ground-breaking work to approach climate-neutral production. Photo: Mo industripark Now the first step on the road has been taken. Climate director at Elkem, Trond Sæterstad, says this could be important for the entire industry. – This is a facility on a smaller scale, but it is complete. This means that we can verify and approve the technology for our industry. – It is important ground-breaking work. The project has a duration of two years. The testing itself, which is now underway, will last six months. Trond Sæterstad says that the work is important for more than just Elkem. Photo: Frank Nygård / news – We believe carbon capture is an important tool if we are to follow our own climate strategy and follow up on the Paris Agreement, says Sæterstad and adds: – We will transfer the results from this project to other and other process industries. – A big investment In October last year, Gassnova granted money for testing carbon capture systems on smelting furnaces. Frode Johan Berg, plant director at Elkem Rana, says they are very pleased to be working on an important tool to reduce emissions. – We release 300,000 tonnes each year. In the long term, we envision that we will move in the direction of carbon-neutral production. Elkem Rana will go from releasing 300,000 tonnes to becoming completely neutral. In other words, let out zero. Photo: Frank Nygård / news However, this is a smaller pilot project. If it is to be scaled up, it will cost between NOK 1 and 2 billion. – It is a big investment. Cooperation with the authorities will be important. We have now received support for the pilot, which will give us important experience. We will take that with us into a large-scale scale-up, says Berg. He adds: – In a larger development, we will need support. Trond Sæterstad says that as of today there is no arrangement in place. – There are funds in the EU, but we have to discuss with the Norwegian authorities how we can get a scheme in place. – We believe that we will achieve a good dialogue for the framework conditions. ALSO READ:
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Testing out the world’s first carbon capture plant for ferrosilicon melting furnaces – news Nordland
