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Research & innovation in the ferro-alloys and silicon industriesAs energy intensive industry and supplier of raw materials at the top of supply chains, the ferro-alloys & silicon industries are engaged in innovation activities since decades to help the sector to develop new processes and products in a climate friendly and more resource efficient way. These investments are necessary in order to remain competitive in the global marketplace. In the field of production research, the challenges lie in continuing to optimize the process chain as a whole. Innovation is taking place around the centers of production ! The challenge for the future and for the policy makers will be to get upstream research results in Europe and not commercialized elsewhere around delocalized production centers. This is why the European ferro-alloys and silicon companies often work closely with their customers on research and development (R&D) and with universities and research institutions. Centers of Excellence have been or are being created in several countries. In addition, to keep a global leading position in the production of some types of ferro-alloys, silicon or key materials used in the metallurgical processes, some companies are also working on breakthrough technologies. The following main topics attract most of the research under which you will find examples of research projects or already commercialized successful projects: |