ABOUT SILICA
A raw material for the future
Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO2, commonly found in nature as quartz. In many parts of the world, silica is the major constituent of sand. 1
Elemental silicon is produced commercially by reducing Si02 with carbon in an electric furnace. High-purity silicon, for the electronics industry, is prepared by the thermal decomposition of ultra-pure trichlorosilane, followed by recrystallisation. 2
The term “silicon metal” is typically used for silicon that contains between 96% and 99.99% silicon.
Market Size (2023)1
Revenue Proj. (2030)1
USD $52.69 billion
USD $104.34 billion
The greater the purity in the ground, less processing required to achieve higher market value.
High-purity quartz (HPQ) is primarily used in the manufacturing of silicon metal. It is a base material in the production of semiconductor wafers.1
Silicon acts as an insulator at low temperatures and a smooth conductor of electricity at high temperatures, which is why it is used in the production of various semiconductor products such as integrated circuit boards, transistors, microchips, etc. Hence, growing demand for new-generation wafers from the semiconductor industry is anticipated to enhance the HPQ consumption rate.1
Silicon metalloid is best known for its semiconductor characteristics and has been vital in the development of solar energy and electronics, driving digital technology.
Source: Elkem
A semiconductor does not conduct electricity very well in its pure form but, by adding impurities, as is the case in silicon metalloids, it is possible to influence and control electron transport conductivity.
Source: Elkem
Silicon has long held out promise as a medium for battery anodes, because it can hold 10 times as many lithium ions by weight as graphite.
Source: IEEE Spectrum
Porsche, Mercedes and GM are already betting on silicon-anode batteries.
Source: CNBC
