Eco‐Efficient Processing and Refining Routes for Secondary Raw Materials from Silicon Ingot and Wafer Manufacturing
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In the ICARUS project, European partners collaborate to develop and scale innovative technologies for recovering and refining secondary raw materials from silicon photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. The production of photovoltaic modules generates significant quantities of waste, particularly silicon kerf, graphite, and silica residues from ingot and wafer manufacturing. ICARUS aims to transform these waste streams into high‐value secondary materials suitable for reintegration into the PV value chain and other industrial applications. Four industrial pilot‐scale processes are developed, targeting the purification and reuse of these materials. Results from the pilots demonstrate both the technical feasibility and economic potential of substituting these recovered materials for virgin and critical raw materials. This work provides a viable pathway toward a more resource‐efficient and circular PV manufacturing industry.
Authors: Martin Bellmann, Berhane Darsene Dimd, Anne‐Karin Søiland, Arne Dahle, C. Landaas, Victorien Iwaszko, Rene Peche, Wolfram Palitzsch, Philippe Lenain, Iratxe de Meatza, Theodora Kyratsi, Liu Huiping, Emanuele Milani, Guy Chichignoud, Stefan Fischer, Almut Schwenke, Eirik Nordboe, Marco Pieterse, Roland Riva
Institutions: SINTEF, SINTEF Industry, NorSun (Norway), Bifa Umweltinstitut, Centre for Electrochemical Technologies, University of Cyprus, Maniero Elettronica (Italy), Euroitalia (Italy), Institut polytechnique de Grenoble, SGL Carbon (Germany), Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,910
Funder: Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Award: G3056689940
OpenAlex ID: W4416097117