Elkem, a company that specialises in advanced silicon-based materials, will test the world's first carbon capture pilot for silicon smelters at its plant in Rana, Norway.

As part of the project, a test unit will be installed at Elkem's plant, which produces high purity ferrosilicon and micro-silica; Aker Carbon Capture will deliver the test unit.

The company said the goal of the project is to verify the technology on natural industrial exhaust gases from smelters to prepare a full-scale plant for industrial carbon capture.

This is part of its global climate roadmap, detailing how the company plans to reduce its total CO2 emissions by 28% and improve its product carbon footprint by 39% by 2031.

As part of this, the company has launched a feasibility study to establish carbon capture and storage. The purpose of this is to assess the technical and economic feasibility of installing carbon capture at its Norwegian plants.

Helge Aasen, Elkem's chief executive officer, said the company's mission is to provide "advanced material solutions" to build a "more sustainable future". Carbon capture is a "key technology" for companies aiming for net-zero emissions, Aasen said.

The project will see Elkem work with Mo Industripark, SINTEF, Alcoa, Celsa, Ferroglobe, SMA Mineral, Norcem, Norfrakalk and Arctic Cluster Team, as well as Aker Carbon Capture. It has an approximate budget of 23.6 million NOK ($2.83 million).