Research project on sustainable batteries receives NOK 100 million grant from Norwegian government
The Norwegian government’s Green Platform initiative has today awarded around NOK 100 million in support to the research project “Sustainable Materials for the Battery Value Chain” where Elkem and its subsidiary Vianode are among the industry partners.
The project partners include Elkem and Vianode as well as Norsk Hydro, Corvus, Morrow and Freyr. These companies will work together with SINTEF and IFE (Institute for Energy Technology) on a research and innovation project with the aim of supporting the green transition through sustainable battery production in Norway with reduced emissions.
The project will cover activities throughout the entire battery value chain, from the production of active battery materials to cell production, modelling of battery degradation, safety and recycling.
“It is through research and innovation we create tomorrow’s sustainable society. The Norwegian government wishes to use the Green Platform initiative to stimulate bigger and more rapid investments from companies in green sustainable solutions and products,” says Jan Christian Vestre, Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry.
“The Green Platform will strengthen Norwegian exports and value creation and enable us to implement the green transition and create green growth. It will also make Norwegian companies and research institutions better equipped to exploit the opportunities provided by the EU’s Green Deal initiative, which is part of the research and innovation programme Horizon Europe,” he says.
The Green Platform is a Norwegian government initiative to provide funding for enterprises and research institutes engaged in green growth and restructuring driven by research and innovation. The Government has granted NOK 1 billion over a period of three years to a green transition of the industrial sector, which is managed by the Norwegian Research Council, Innovation Norway and Siva.
Elkem has established Vianode as a fully-owned subsidiary and brand dedicated to advanced battery materials. The booming market for batteries and battery materials continues and the production of battery materials represents one of Elkem’s biggest growth opportunities. Vianode is a producer of sustainably engineered battery materials that increase safety and reduce charging time in electric vehicles and other sophisticated energy storage applications.
“The world needs greener batteries and we in Elkem and Vianode enable that by supplying advanced anode materials with a minimal footprint. We very much appreciate the Norwegian government’s strong support for this research and innovation project within sustainable materials for the battery value chain and we look forward to working together with our other industry and research partners”, says Stian Madshus, Vice President and General Manager Europe at Vianode, an Elkem company.
For further information, please contact:
Odd-Geir Lyngstad
VP Finance & Investor Relations
Tel: +47 976 72 806
Email: odd-geir.lyngstad@elkem.com
Fredrik Norman
VP Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
Tel: +47 918 66 567
E-mail: fredrik.norman@elkem.com
About Elkem
Elkem is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced material solutions shaping a better and more sustainable future. The company develops silicones, silicon products and carbon solutions by combining natural raw materials, renewable energy and human ingenuity. Elkem helps its customers create and improve essential innovations like electric mobility, digital communications, health and personal care as well as smarter and more sustainable cities. With a strong track record since 1904, its global team of more than 7,000 people has a joint commitment to stakeholders: Delivering your potential. In 2021, Elkem was rated among the world’s leading companies on climate, with a roadmap towards net zero emissions by 2050, and achieved an operating income of NOK 33.7 billion. Elkem is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: ELK). www.elkem.com
