Innovative eco-efficient processing and refining routes for secondary raw materials from silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing for accelerated utilisation in high-end markets

ICARUS aims to demonstrate modular processing solutions at industrial scale to retrieve 95% of high-value raw materials from silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing, through eco-efficient processing, refining, and transformation of industrial silicon, graphite and silica waste streams. Industrial symbiosis will provide refined raw materials for further industrial high-end applications.

Material closed-loop systems will enable a circular economy for silicon ingot and wafer manufacturers, potentially unlocking substantial volumes of raw materials: 9.600.000 t of silicon, 1.165.300 t of silica and 64.000 t of graphite by 2050.ICARUS will demonstrate: 3 innovative industrial pilots producing silicon, silica and graphite raw materials; 1 pilot converting silicon waste into full value industrial commodities: - Pretreated and purified silicon, silica and graphite raw materials (RESITEC),- Pyrometallurgical process using recylced silicon, silica and graphite for high purity silicon (NOSI),- Granular silicion feedstock for photovoltaic applications (ROSI),- Full value industrial commodities: green hydrogen, silica and silicates (APOLLON),for different high-end applications with strict raw material quality standards, to assess the technical and economic viability of these applications:- Si-photovoltaics (CEA)- Al-Si alloys (GRANGES)- Thermoelectric modules and generators (MMEX)- Lithium ion battery cells (CIDETEC, SGLBS)- Silicon carbide powders (FIVEN)- Fine-grained graphite (SGL) The R&D team consists of internationally recognised partners, SINTEF, CEA, INP, UCY and CIDETEC, that will support withservices for more efficient implementation of innovations developed in the project.

Technological feasibility will be assessedby the industry partners, while BIFA will carry out environmental assessment, CHEMCON will conduct economic and marketviability assessment for the ICARUS value chain. AYMING will be in charge of dissemination and communication activities.