Plant is the first foundry plant for Elkem in Latin America.

Elkem ASA has opened a new plant for foundry products in Limpio, Paraguay. This plant is the first foundry plant for Elkem in Latin America, and it is a new and exciting chapter for the group.

Situated in Limpio, 25km from Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, the plant has been built in alignment with Elkem’s strategy for expansion in South America. The start-up of the plant was in March 2018. Many improvements were made to achieve the full, expected production of FeSi for the international iron and steel industry.

The production is mainly based on local raw materials and hydroelectric power from the Itaipu power plant. With the focus on sustainability the plant is working towards using 100 per cent of charcoal as reductant for the furnace and eucalyptus chips to allow the proper porosity to the charge. The quartz is being extracted locally, respecting the local legislation and the environmental requirements.

Elkem ASA CEO Helge Aasen said: “To open a brand-new plant in Latin America is an important milestone for us. Also, Elkem’s long-term goal is to achieve carbon neutral metal production. The Limpio plant challenges and inspires the rest of the company to meet our climate and sustainability strategies.”

General Manager of Elkem Paraguay, Osvaldo Almeida, added: “Limpio is a pioneer plant within Elkem and in Paraguay. It is the first foundry Elkem plant in Latin America, the first 100 per cent biocarbon fed plant in Elkem globally and it is the first ferroalloy industry in the country.”

Elkem Limpio has 100 employees and one arc-furnace with 11.5MW-15MVA, which generates an annual capacity of 11 000 metric tons. The plant will mainly serve the South American market for ferrosilicon and foundry-alloys. For more information visit the website www.elkem.com