- Aker Carbon Capture will conduct an eight-month test campaign at Wacker's Holla plant in Norway.
- Wacker aims to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2045.
- Silicon metal from Holla covers around one-third of Wacker's demand in Germany.
- The process industry accounts for approximately 20% of Norway's total GHG emissions.
Project Overview
Aker Carbon Capture has been awarded a feasibility study and an eight-month test campaign to explore the capture of CO2 emissions from Wacker's metallurgical-grade silicon production at the Holla plant in Kyrksæterøra, Norway. This initiative aligns with Wacker's goal to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2045.
Importance of Silicon Metal
Silicon metal is a crucial raw material for Wacker, used in producing silicones and hyperpure polysilicon. The silicon metal produced at the Holla plant currently meets about one-third of Wacker's demand in Germany.
Norwegian Climate Targets
Reducing emissions from the process industry is vital for Norway to meet its climate target of a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, relative to 1990 levels. The process industry accounts for approximately 20% of Norway's total GHG emissions, with 12 million CO2e in 2022.
European Commission Goals
The European Commission has proposed a 90% net GHG emissions reduction target by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is seen as a key solution for reducing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors like cement, waste incineration, bioenergy, and other process industries.
Technology and Experience
Aker Carbon Capture's Mobile Test Unit, a complete CO2 capture plant, will be used for the test campaign. This unit is transportable, flexible, and capable of operating on different flue gases. Aker Carbon Capture has accumulated over 35,000 operating hours on various flue gases worldwide, demonstrating the scalability of their technology for large-scale plants.
