Elkem ASA, a sophisticated silicon-based supplies firm, and Startuplab, Norway’s main incubator and early-stage investor for bold know-how startups, have entered a partnership to speed up the event of inexperienced industrial applied sciences and digital options, together with 3D printing.
“Elkem strives to be on the forefront of technological developments, constantly exploring new methods of producing our current product portfolio extra sustainably and effectively, and creating new merchandise for a greater world. This collaboration with Startuplab is a testomony to our dedication to open innovation. It would pave the best way for partnerships that may discover new frontiers in materials science, power effectivity, and digitalization,” stated Louis Vovelle, SVP of Innovation and R&D at Elkem.
One of many partnership’s key aims is to speed up the event of cutting-edge applied sciences. Startuplab supplies a dynamic atmosphere the place startups can work with business majors reminiscent of Elkem via data change and collaborative tasks to develop their concepts into sustainable companies. This interaction not solely hastens the innovation course of, but in addition ensures that the applied sciences developed are aligned with market wants and sustainability targets.
“Startups typically deliver ahead options which can be each cost-effective and modern. They function at a totally totally different tempo in creating and scaling new options in comparison with massive firms. Having a powerful industrial participant like Elkem concerned is very useful for Norwegian entrepreneurs who need to validate their options and scale them internationally. As well as, Elkem’s management in energy-efficient manufacturing and its contributions to sustainable supplies, current some very thrilling alternatives for a number of promising Norwegian startups,” stated Christina Wiig, Head of Partnerships at Startuplab.
With greater than 30 collaborative tasks throughout Norway and Europe with startups, small to massive enterprises, tutorial establishments, and clusters, Elkem’s Analysis & Innovation (R&I) ranges from work on power effectivity and CO₂ emission discount, round economic system, new supplies, and digitalization.
Elkem is presently piloting CO₂-free silicon manufacturing via a ground-breaking idea that entails capturing and recycling the carbon within the manufacturing course of. Different pilot tasks embody the event of 3D printed steel elements for electrical scooter motors from iron-silicon powder, and 3D printed silicones for the aeronautics and healthcare industries with the startup 3Deus Dynamics, wherein Elkem owns a stake. In keeping with its local weather technique, Elkem can also be concerned in round economy-related tasks, which embody chemical and mechanical silicone recycling, restoration of uncommon earth parts from magnets, and recycling of waste streams from aluminum manufacturing.
“By collaborating with Startuplab and its dynamic ecosystem, Elkem can faucet into the innovation potential of startups, strengthening our office tradition of experimentation and creativity, and enhancing our competitiveness. That is essential to appreciate Elkem’s technique for sustainable, worthwhile development and specialization,” stated Håvard Moe, SVP for Know-how at Elkem.
Elkem devotes appreciable effort to R&I actions, with greater than 3.5% of 2023 revenues devoted to new merchandise and new processes, together with technical assist to clients. By means of this funding, channeled via greater than 550 researchers world wide, the R&I groups filed greater than 35 new patents throughout the 12 months. New merchandise launched throughout the previous 5 years characterize greater than 15% of Elkem’s turnover.
“Digital transformation is a key focus for Elkem, and our partnership with Startuplab will speed up this journey. We’re enhancing effectivity and efficiency by integrating digital instruments, together with VR coaching for hazardous conditions and superior fireplace detection to enhance security. These improvements strengthen our place in a quickly evolving market,” stated Lyudmyla Vynnytska, Digitalization Director at Elkem.