Icelandic Silicon Metal Producer Becomes First in Industry to Receive ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification
Duisburg, Germany/Húsavík, Iceland – Icelandic silicon metal producer PCC BakkiSilicon hf. has recently become the first company in its sector to receive certification of its greenhouse gas balance in accordance with the new ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification (CFC) standard. The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) is a renowned certification system for verifiably sustainable supply chains.
After undergoing an audit at its production site in Húsavík by an independent certification body, PCC BakkiSilicon hf. was awarded the certificate, confirming a greenhouse gas footprint of 3,102.56 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per metric ton of silicon metal as manufactured in the twelve-month reference period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. This makes PCC BakkiSilicon hf. the global pioneer in the industry for achieving this certification.
The company produces silicon metal exclusively using electricity from renewable energy sources, predominantly geothermal energy. This has resulted in a significantly lower carbon footprint, with the certified amount being a factor of around 3.5 below the global industry average of 10.9 kilograms CO2 equivalent. This is especially noteworthy when compared to Chinese manufacturers, who dominate the world market with their dumping prices and are known to produce silicon with emissions far above this figure.
Silicon is a crucial element in the production of various high-tech and climate protection applications, including photovoltaic modules. PCC BakkiSilicon hf.’s low carbon footprint sets a global benchmark in this regard. The company’s parent company, PCC SE, based in Duisburg, Germany, is proud of this achievement and believes it validates their strategy of setting global standards in climate protection.
Dr. Peter Wenzel, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of PCC SE, stated, “The fact that our subsidiary has been audited in line with the ISCC standard for carbon footprint certification (CFC) confirms the validity of our strategy of setting global standards in climate protection with PCC BakkiSilicon hf.”
However, the company is facing strong economic pressure due to operating in direct competition with China, where silicon is produced with significantly higher CO2 emissions and in some cases, under conditions of forced labor. This results in the export of silicon at dumping prices, posing a challenge for PCC BakkiSilicon hf.
Peter Wenzel also highlighted the lack of consideration for sustainability and climate protection in the decision-making process of customers in Europe. He emphasized the importance of political support in addressing unfair competition from cheap silicon produced under harmful environmental conditions and human rights violations. He also noted that the German government supported the construction of the plant in Iceland due to its significance in a raw materials strategy for German industry.
The ISCC Carbon Footprint Certificate awarded to PCC BakkiSilicon hf. is based on an analysis of the company’s carbon footprint, conducted in accordance with the ISCC guidelines for greenhouse gas calculations and the new certification approach for the carbon footprint of products from silicon metal production. The certificate covers the system boundaries of “cradle-to-gate”, including the entire production process, raw material and energy supply, transportation, and manufacturing. The reference product is one metric ton of silicon metal produced in 2022 and 2023.
PCC SE is the parent and investment holding company of the globally active PCC Group, with around 3,300 employees. Its Group companies have core competencies in the production of chemical feedstocks and specialty chemicals, silicon and silicon derivatives, and container logistics. The group company PCC BakkiSilicon hf. is located in Iceland and operates one of the world’s most advanced silicon production facilities. PCC SE focuses on continuously increasing the enterprise value of its portfolio companies through sustainable investments and the ongoing creation of new value.
For further information on PCC SE, please visit https://www.pcc.eu.
Press Contact:
Susanne Biskamp, Head of Marketing & Public Relations
PCC SE
Moerser Str. 149
D-47198 Duisburg
Phone: +49 2066 20 19-35
Email: susanne.biskamp@pcc.eu
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