Elkem, a company that specialises in advanced silicon-based materials, has received 16 million Norwegian kronor ($1.78 million) to develop a new concept to decarbonise silicon production.

The company said the project is part of its strategy to be part of the global energy shift and described silicon as a "critical material for digital technologies and the green transition."

The company has set the goal of cutting its carbon emissions by 28% by 2031 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Havard Moe, senior vice president for technology at Elkem, said the company's objective was to "develop a concept that eliminates all direct CO2 emissions from silicon production."

"Carbon oxides in the off-gas from the smelting furnaces will be captured, converted to solid carbon, and reused in the process; in short: Silicon production with carbon looping," Moe said, describing the project as potentially a game-changer for the global silicon industry."

The project will run from 2022 to 2024 and see Elkem work with research and develop institutes SINTEF and NORCE, which will undertake the laboratory experiments.