Elkem celebrated its 120th birthday on Jan. 2, 2023. Since its founding in 1904, Elkem has been committed to providing innovative products and services for its clients. It has become a leading supplier of advanced silicon-based materials which are vital for driving digitalization and green transformation.
Elkem was founded as “the Norwegian Stock Company for Electrochemical Industry”. Today, the company has around 7,300 employees all over the world, delivering revenues of 45.9 billion Norwegian kroner in 2022 and top five percent climate performance (CDP).
Today, around three grams of high-purity silicon produced by Elkem can be found inside most of the world’s smartphones. Advanced silicones from Elkem can also be found in more than 2 million electric vehicles around the world. Elkem’s silicon has even made an impact beyond this Earth, as part of thermal batteries which have successfully landed the Perseverance rover on Mars.
“We are very proud of Elkem’s 120 years of history, which demonstrates to our stakeholders that we are in it for the long run. Our colleagues all over the world take a lot of inspiration from our past, but we always remain focused on the future and delivering new and innovative products and services to our customers. We see ourselves not as a 120 years’ old company but as 120 years young, and work on continuous improvements every day,” said Elkem’s CEO Helge Aasen.
Even though Elkem has developed significantly since its founding, it has also stayed true to the original business concept which was to build a major industrial company with an international outlook. Research and innovation plays a key role in this: With more than 550 researchers around the world, new products introduced within the past five years now represent more than 20 percent of Elkem’s turnover. This ensures Elkem is well-positioned for megatrends like the green transition and digitalization.
In 2024, Elkem will continue to develop silicones, silicon products and carbon solutions by using natural raw material and renewable energy. It will help its customers create and improve essential innovations like electric mobility, digital communications, health and personal care as well as smarter and more sustainable cities, building a better and more sustainable future for mankind.