WACKER Replaces Coal with Biogenic Carbon for Climate-Neutral Silicon Production
WACKER, a global leader in the production of high-purity silicones and silicon-based products, is embarking on an important sustainability milestone by replacing fossil coal with biogenic carbon in its silicon production at the Holla site in Norway. This move is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and achieving climate-neutral production processes.
The switch to biogenic carbon comes through a new long-term supply agreement with Aymium, a Minnesota-based producer of biogenic carbon and biohydrogen products. As a result of this agreement, WACKER will significantly reduce the CO2 emissions generated during its silicon manufacturing process, contributing to a greener future for the company and the industries it serves.
A Strategic Step Toward Carbon-Neutral Silicon Production
WACKER has long been committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact, and the shift to biogenic carbon at its Holla site marks a significant step forward in this journey. For years, the company has used coal as a reducing agent in the conversion of quartz into metallurgical-grade silicon, a process that is essential for producing high-purity polysilicon for industries such as electronics, renewable energy, and automotive.
The reduction of quartz to silicon in an electric arc furnace requires both electrical energy and carbon. Traditionally, fossil-based hard coal has been used as the carbon source in this reaction. However, in the new agreement, WACKER will replace a substantial portion of this fossil coal with biogenic carbon, which is derived from renewable raw materials. By utilizing biogenic carbon, WACKER will eliminate the need for fossil-based CO2 emissions in the production process, making it a major step toward achieving a fully climate-neutral production cycle.
WACKER’s Executive Board member Christian Kirsten emphasized the importance of this agreement: “The agreed volume covers a substantial portion of our total carbon requirements at the Holla site. This is a major step toward climate-neutral silicon production.” The transition to biogenic carbon will be critical to WACKER’s efforts to minimize its environmental impact and contribute to a low-carbon economy.
Partnering with Aymium for Biogenic Carbon
The biogenic carbon that will replace fossil coal in the silicon production process will be sourced from Aymium. This collaboration with Aymium is part of WACKER’s broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and secure sustainable raw materials for its operations.
Aymium is a leading producer of biogenic carbon and biohydrogen products, and the company is committed to advancing the decarbonization of industries that rely on carbon-intensive processes. Under the new contract, Aymium will produce the required biogenic carbon at a new manufacturing facility that the company plans to build in the southeastern United States. Once the plant is operational and meets the agreed-upon specifications, the biogenic carbon will be supplied to WACKER, enabling the company to make the transition to more sustainable silicon production.
James A. Mennell, CEO of Aymium, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Aymium is very excited about entering into this agreement and our long-term collaboration with WACKER. Together we will drive the decarbonization of metallurgical-grade silicon production.” This partnership is expected to play a key role in reducing the environmental impact of the silicon industry, particularly in terms of CO2 emissions.
Biogenic Carbon: A Renewable Alternative to Fossil Coal
The process of converting quartz into metallurgical-grade silicon requires both electrical energy and carbon as reducing agents. Until now, WACKER’s Holla site has relied on fossil coal for this purpose. However, with the introduction of biogenic carbon, the company will be using a renewable resource that is derived from certified raw materials that have absorbed CO2 from the atmosphere while they were growing. During the silicon production process, the biogenic carbon releases the absorbed CO2 back into the atmosphere, making the overall process carbon-neutral.
The switch to biogenic carbon is a significant development in WACKER’s sustainability efforts. By using a renewable resource, the company can eliminate the need for fossil-based CO2 emissions in its silicon production process. This aligns with WACKER’s broader environmental goals and supports the company’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.
Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Silicon Production
Silicon is a critical raw material used in the production of high-purity polysilicon, which is essential for the production of microchips, solar panels, and a wide range of silicone products. However, the production of metallurgical-grade silicon is highly energy-intensive and generates significant amounts of CO2 emissions. By shifting to biogenic carbon, WACKER is not only reducing its own carbon footprint but also contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly supply chain for the global silicon industry.
WACKER has set ambitious sustainability goals, including reducing its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. The company’s target is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, and this transition at the Holla site is a key component of that strategy. The move to biogenic carbon is one of several measures WACKER has taken to reduce emissions, which also includes running its manufacturing processes on 100% green electricity from renewable sources such as hydroelectric power.
In addition to switching to biogenic carbon and renewable energy, WACKER has also tested carbon capture technologies at the Holla site to separate CO2 from the production process. These carbon capture tests have been successful, and the company plans to integrate this technology alongside the use of biogenic carbon and green electricity to achieve fully carbon-neutral silicon production.
A Vision for Climate-Neutral Silicon Value Chains
WACKER’s long-term sustainability strategy is focused on creating climate-neutral value chains, particularly in the production of silicon-based products. By leveraging biogenic carbon, renewable energy, and carbon capture technologies, WACKER aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its silicon production and ultimately deliver climate-neutral products to its customers.
The transition to biogenic carbon at the Holla site is a crucial step in realizing this vision. If successful, it could serve as a model for other industries that rely on carbon-intensive processes and help accelerate the global shift toward more sustainable production methods.
Conclusion
WACKER’s decision to replace fossil coal with biogenic carbon in its silicon production process at the Holla site represents a major milestone in the company’s journey toward climate-neutral manufacturing. By partnering with Aymium, WACKER is taking an important step in decarbonizing its operations and advancing its sustainability goals. This transition is part of a broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and promote the use of renewable raw materials in industrial processes.
As WACKER continues to innovate and drive sustainability in its operations, the company is setting an example for other manufacturers in the silicon industry and beyond. The move to biogenic carbon is just one of many steps WACKER is taking to ensure that its products are produced in an environmentally responsible manner, helping to create a greener future for generations to come.
