Elkam02.03.22
Elkem is upgrading its silicone production plant in France in an effort to unlock the supply chain bottleneck in raw materials.
The company is investing roughly 36 million euros (NOK 350 million) to boost production at its Roussillon, France, facility. The investment plan entails installing new equipment and major technology upgrades in key parts of the plant to improve Elkem Roussillon’s cost position and environmental performance, through higher materials efficiency, more energy efficient processes, reduced waste, and state-of-the-art water effluents treatment. It is the largest organic investment project in Elkem’s European silicones franchise in a decade. It is anticipated to come online during the third quarter of 2023.
“At a time when silicones and their raw materials are in shortage, the expansion is cornerstone to meeting the future needs of our specialty silicones customers in EMEA and the Americas, where the market is expected to grow by around 6 percent per year between 2020 and 2025,” said Frédéric Jacquin, senior vice president of Elkem’s Silicones Division. “This investment complements the ongoing capacity expansion at our Xinghuo site in China, which primarily serves growth in the Asia-Pacific region and further strengthens our cost position as well as environmental performance.”
Elkam's board of directors has approved a 20,000 metric tons capacity expansion, bringing the effective silicone intermediates capacity from the firm's upstream plant in Roussillon, France, to 100,000 metric tons annually, while delivering productivity, cost, sustainability and climate protection improvements.
Specialty silicones bring unique properties and performances to various markets—from electric and hybrid vehicles, to semi-conductors, decarbonized energies, 3D printing, healthcare and medical devices, aerospace, defense, or sustainable buildings.
The decision confirms the strategic importance of the Rhône Valley for Elkem’s silicones division, after the company announced an agreement to acquire a third manufacturing site in the area, and the opening of a new global research and innovation center. It also highlights Elkem’s commitment to the Roussillon chemical platform, which is undergoing landmark transformations to protect its competitiveness and decarbonize its operations, thanks to dynamic partnerships between industrial and local stakeholders, including Elkem.
Elkem provides advanced material solutions. It develops silicones, silicon products, and carbon solutions by combining natural raw materials, renewable energy, and human ingenuity. In 2020, Elkem achieved an operating income of NOK 24.7 billion.
Elkem Silicones, a division of Elkem, has more than 4,200 employees. Elkem Silicones is a global leader in fully integrated silicone manufacturing, operating 13 multi-functional manufacturing sites and 13 Research & Innovation centers worldwide.
The company is investing roughly 36 million euros (NOK 350 million) to boost production at its Roussillon, France, facility. The investment plan entails installing new equipment and major technology upgrades in key parts of the plant to improve Elkem Roussillon’s cost position and environmental performance, through higher materials efficiency, more energy efficient processes, reduced waste, and state-of-the-art water effluents treatment. It is the largest organic investment project in Elkem’s European silicones franchise in a decade. It is anticipated to come online during the third quarter of 2023.
“At a time when silicones and their raw materials are in shortage, the expansion is cornerstone to meeting the future needs of our specialty silicones customers in EMEA and the Americas, where the market is expected to grow by around 6 percent per year between 2020 and 2025,” said Frédéric Jacquin, senior vice president of Elkem’s Silicones Division. “This investment complements the ongoing capacity expansion at our Xinghuo site in China, which primarily serves growth in the Asia-Pacific region and further strengthens our cost position as well as environmental performance.”
Elkam's board of directors has approved a 20,000 metric tons capacity expansion, bringing the effective silicone intermediates capacity from the firm's upstream plant in Roussillon, France, to 100,000 metric tons annually, while delivering productivity, cost, sustainability and climate protection improvements.
Specialty silicones bring unique properties and performances to various markets—from electric and hybrid vehicles, to semi-conductors, decarbonized energies, 3D printing, healthcare and medical devices, aerospace, defense, or sustainable buildings.
The decision confirms the strategic importance of the Rhône Valley for Elkem’s silicones division, after the company announced an agreement to acquire a third manufacturing site in the area, and the opening of a new global research and innovation center. It also highlights Elkem’s commitment to the Roussillon chemical platform, which is undergoing landmark transformations to protect its competitiveness and decarbonize its operations, thanks to dynamic partnerships between industrial and local stakeholders, including Elkem.
Elkem provides advanced material solutions. It develops silicones, silicon products, and carbon solutions by combining natural raw materials, renewable energy, and human ingenuity. In 2020, Elkem achieved an operating income of NOK 24.7 billion.
Elkem Silicones, a division of Elkem, has more than 4,200 employees. Elkem Silicones is a global leader in fully integrated silicone manufacturing, operating 13 multi-functional manufacturing sites and 13 Research & Innovation centers worldwide.