Environmental Benefits of Silicon Kerf Secondary Products in Pilot Processes over Conventional Production of Equivalent Products with Primary Raw Materials in China and Europe

bifa Umweltinstitut GmbH is evaluating four pilot units newly developed in the ICARUS project for processing silicon kerf waste into secondary materials and marketable products and shows whether an ecological improvement compared to the conventional Chinese and European supply of functionally equivalent materials from primary raw material can be achieved. The evaluation is done using the method of life cycle assessment (LCA). The turning of PV waste silicon kerf into secondary raw materials or marketable products eliminates a large part of the environmental impact associated with the conventional production of equivalent raw materials or products. The reduction in environmental impact ranges from more than 85% for the production of secondary metallurgical grade and solar grade silicon compared to the conventional production in China over more than 75% for the production of secondary metallurgical grade and solar grade silicon compared to the conventional production in Europe to more than 30% for the production of hydrogen and water glass from silicon kerf waste compared to the conventional production in Europe. Thus, the newly developed processes in the ICARUS project not only reduce dependence on supplies from Asia, but also help to reduce harmful emissions into the environment during the production of raw materials.