Production of speciality silicon for use in batteries

The project has aimed at developing specialized silicon qualities from Elkem Bremanger for use as anode materials in rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Elkem Bremanger has through this project become involved in several development projects to specialize silicon for use in different technological solutions for exploiting the potential of silicon as anode material. These devolopment projects are still ongoing, and will as a main rule be continued also after the end of this project. In general, details from these developments can not be disclosed due to the need for IP protection. In one (with AIST), some results have been published (see www.elkem.com/e-Si), as we have a common interest in creating interest among battery producers/developers. Understanding which properties of silicon that are important for use as battery anodes, especially within sizing and chemistry, in different technologies have been extremely important in the now finished project. The industrialization of silicon based anodes have taken far longer than anyone thought possible at the start of the project. Even though we see that there is still work to be done, Elkem Bremanger is today in a fantastic position to succeed in the upcoming battery market.