R&D 100 Awards 2022

Elkem's Silicones has been declared a 2022 R&D 100 Awards winner in the Mechanical Materials category for the submission of the BLUESIL™ RT Foam Range for Safety & Reliability with Silicone Solutions for Electric Vehicle Thermal Management. The R&D 100 Awards is a renowned worldwide science and innovation competition, celebrating its 60^th year with entries from dozens of different countries and regions.

The submission made by Elkem highlights the latest in disruptive silicone technologies for battery thermal management through the dedicated BLUESIL™ RT Foam product range that ensures electrical and electronic parts in new generation vehicles are efficient, reliable, and safe. The RT Foam product line offers insulation support, and the open cell structure helps avoid overheating propagation to other cells. In addition, silicone foam provides gasketing alternatives for sealing battery packs and devices, and the low density of these materials does not impact the weight or the energy consumption.

Elkem has proven battery protection with silicones for thermal management, and the syntactic foam developed by Elkem provides a lightweight solution to thermal runaway mitigation, a safety aspect paramount to the safety of high energy density electric vehicles (EVs). Reducing weight is a major challenge for electric vehicle (EV) designers and builders in the quest to reduce power consumption, but also to increase autonomy, which is today the biggest stumbling block for consumer acceptance. A 10% reduction in vehicle weight can result in a 6%-8% fuel economy improvement. 

BLUESIL™ RT Foam fits in line with Elkem’s climate roadmap strategy, which is to develop specialized products and services that can be key enablers in the green transition, such as electrification of transportation, reduced energy consumption, increased production and availability of renewable energy, increased energy storage and replacement of oil-based materials.

Elkem’s commitment to Sustainability

All known technological solutions for the green transition require advanced materials.  Silicones, silicon and carbon solutions are critical enablers and this is one of the most significant ways for Elkem to have an impact; by ensuring durable and sustainable supply to the green transition towards a low carbon future.

Elkem is committed to take a leading position in reducing the impacts of climate change. Elkem's ambition is to reduce the company's fossil CO₂ footprint by increasing renewable carbon sources and developing innovative production processes. With a fully integrated value chain from upstream silicon to silicones and their downstream uses, it is vital to manage the environmental production footprint.

Elkem continues to prove leadership in sustainability and climate reporting transparency confirmed with our Platinum rating on Ecovadis and A- rating on CDP Climate.

Read more at Sustainability | Elkem.com

About Elkem ASA

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).