Elkem has announced the successful transition of its chemical silicone waste upcycling project from the laboratory phase to a pilot unit at its production site in Saint-Fons, Lyon, France.

Source: Elkem

As part of its climate strategy, Elkem is dedicated to reducing CO₂ emissions and resource consumption to achieve climate-neutral production by 2050. This commitment includes enhancing recycling efforts within its operations and establishing circular loops with customers and suppliers. In 2021, Elkem launched a collaborative project focused on breaking down silicone waste using eco-designed depolymerization methods.

This initiative has resulted in the creation of innovative, patented recycling processes for silicones, which are now integrated into the construction and operation of the Saint-Fons unit. Recycling silicones not only lowers their carbon footprint but also helps secure the supply of critical raw materials, which are increasingly in demand due to the green transition and digitalization.

As a manufacturer of silicones since 1948 and leading global supplier of silicones, we are committed to creating a circular economy for our products, giving them a second life. Chemical recycling of silicones is a key technological enabler to close the loop. Through our innovative technology, we can provide a solution for silicone waste and offer low carbon solutions from recycling with the same quality as those made from virgin material to the market

The technical implementation of this chemical recycling is currently being conducted at a pilot scale, marking a significant milestone in Elkem’s efforts to provide recycled silicones to the market. The pilot unit will yield essential information for the safe and energy-efficient recycling of silicones on an industrial scale, while also supplying Elkem’s target customers with representative quantities of silicone that contains recycled material.

Elkem’s patented depolymerization process technologies deliver several unique advantages, including low processing temperatures that reduce carbon emissions, high conversion rates, and chemical selectivity that minimizes the production of unwanted by-products and residues.

This initiative is supported by the France 2030 national innovation and industry investment program, managed by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), as well as the European Union’s NextGenerationEU fund.