On April 22, 2026, Elisa Pastor Vallés at the Faculty of Engineering at NTNU and the Department of Environmental Effects and Sustainability at NILU defended her doctoral thesis: Environmental sustainability analysis and circular economy in silicon metallurgy
The thesis examines how the production of metallurgical silicon (MG-Si) can be made more environmentally sustainable, with a particular emphasis on circular economy and reduction of environmental impacts. Silicon is a key resource in the green transition, but increased demand requires more sustainable production methods.
Through life cycle analyses, Elisa Pastor Vallés has mapped the factors that contribute most to the environmental impact of today’s production and assessed measures to reduce emissions. Her doctoral work looks at the use of alternative reducing agents, such as biocarbon and aluminium, the importance of energy sources, and how geographical location and supply chains affect the overall environmental footprint.
The results show that both direct emissions and electricity consumption are key drivers of environmental impact. At the same time, measures such as low-emission electricity and more sustainable raw materials can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also lead to trade-offs against other environmental considerations, such as land use and water use. The thesis thus provides new knowledge about how different strategies affect the sustainability of silicon production, and points to important considerations for further development of more environmentally friendly solutions in the industry.
Read more about Elisa’s dissertation here (NTNU)
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