Carbon Footprint Reduction Opportunities in the Manganese Alloys Industry

Production of manganese alloys is an energy intensive process associated with high carbon consumption. In the wake of the Paris agreement, manganese alloys producers have implemented new strategies to minimize the environmental footprint of smelting and refining activities. At Eramet Norway, process decarbonization is well underway with the goal to reduce CO₂ emissions by 43% within 2030. Initiatives cover the full manganese alloys process range, starting from the assessment of carbon neutral reagents and pre-processing of the manganese ore to downstream reuse of furnace offgas as energy vector. In collaboration with a rich grid of academic and industrial partners, Eramet Norway is especially investigating solutions for carbon capture and storage from manganese alloys furnace gases. Technical challenges are associated with the presence of deleterious components in the flue gas as well as process discontinuities, while economic feasibility is relying on maximizing upscale efficiencies, developing downstream networks, and securing governmental support.