Page 171 - CW E-Magazine (18-3-2025)

News from Abroad

CLIMATE-NEUTRAL OPERATIONS
Wacker replaces coal with biogenic carbon in its

silicon production

German chemicals firm, Wacker, stantial portion of our total carbon
is to start replacing coal with biogenic requirements at the Holla site,” informed
carbon for its silicon production in Holla Wacker’s Executive Board member
site in Norway. A long-term supply Mr. Christian Kirsten.
contract to this effect has been signed
with Aymium, an US-based producer Metallurgical-grade silicon metal
of biogenic carbon and biohydrogen is one of Wacker’s most important raw
products. materials and is required for the pro-
duction of high-purity polysilicon for
In Holla, Wacker currently uses coal microchips, solar modules and the
to reduce quartz to metallurgical-grade entire range of silicones.
silicon. This reaction is responsible for come into force as soon as agreed
a significant portion of the CO emis- requirements are met, such as successful The amount of carbon dioxide
2
sions generated there by Wacker and completion of the qualification process. released during silicon production is
its products. The use of biogenic coal The biogenic carbon is to be produced the most critical factor in the carbon
avoids fossil CO emissions and is an in a new manufacturing plant that footprint of silicones. The use of carbon-
2
important step on Wacker’s journey to Aymium plans to build in the “south- neutral metallurgical-grade silicon
climate-neutral silicon production. east of the USA”. from Holla could significantly reduce
the carbon footprint of the company’s
The contract with Aymium will “The agreed volume covers a sub- silicone products.

TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY
AkzoNobel says over 50% of its Chinese sites close

to operating on 100% renewable electricity

Dutch paints major, AkzoNobel, being made in China and will continue
said more than half of its production to proactively drive the transition of
sites in China are edging closer to ope all our manufacturing sites globally.
rating on 100% renewable electricity We are fully focused on achieving our
as efforts to rely solely on clean energy ambition of 100% renewable electricity
continue to generate momentum. in our own operations by 2030,”
explained Mr. Wijnand Bruinsma, Akzo-
A major project is underway which Nobel’s Director of Sustainability. He
so far involves eight of the company’s Shanghai and Wuhan plants to reach added that the company strives to gen-
15 Chinese facilities using a combina- 90% by 2026. Meanwhile, two facili- erate renewable electricity on-site in
tion of self-generated and externally ties in Langfang have already achieved combination with external sourcing,
sourced renewable electricity to accele- 100% coverage and the Guangzhou as this alleviates pressure on the grid
rate the transition away from fossil site 20% as of January 2025 (although and creates additional capacity, which
fuels towards zero carbon alternatives. this is soon expected to double), with contributes to the energy transition.
the decorative paints plant in Chengdu Outside of China, AkzoNobel already
AkzoNobel said both its Suzhou currently sourcing 18% of its electricity operates on 100% renewable electri-
and Changzhou sites will achieve 100% from renewable energy. city at all its manufacturing locations
renewable electricity coverage this in North America, Latin America and
year. Plans are also in place for both the “We are delighted with the progress Europe.

Chemical Weekly March 18, 2025 171

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