Elkem
Corporate brand
UnclaimedElkem is a Norwegian international materials company producing silicones, silicon, specialty alloys, carbon products and microsilica.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Elkem is a Norwegian industrial materials company whose business developed from early twentieth-century electrochemical and ferroalloy production into a global portfolio of silicon-based and carbon-related materials. The company was founded in 1904 by industrial entrepreneur Sam Eyde under the name Det Norske Aktieselskab for elektro-kemisk Industri, commonly known as Elektrokemisk. Its early development was supported by financing associated with the Wallenberg family and Knut Tillberg. The original industrial model centered on using electricity and metallurgical processes to produce important chemical and alloy materials. A major early turning point came in 1917, when Elkem acquired a ferroalloy plant and began producing the Söderberg electrode. This technology became significant in high-temperature electric furnaces and reinforced the company’s position in electrochemical and metallurgical manufacturing. In 1972, Elkem merged with Christiania Spigerverk, broadening its industrial base and adding steel production to its activities. During the 1980s, the company expanded through acquisitions, including Union Carbide plants in Norway and North America between 1981 and 1984, followed by the Thamshavn and Bjølvefossen plants in 1986. Elkem continued to diversify during the 2000s through acquisitions including Icelandic Alloy, Remi Claeys Aluminium and Sapa. These transactions extended its reach across alloy, aluminium and related industrial-material activities. In January 2005, Orkla acquired a controlling stake in Elkem, placing the company within one of Norway’s major industrial ownership groups. Elkem later closed its Meraker plant in 2006; the closure affected approximately 100 employees and illustrated the operational consequences of restructuring within energy-intensive materials manufacturing. In January 2011, Orkla sold Elkem to China National Bluestar for approximately US$2 billion, transferring the company to Chinese ownership. Elkem subsequently returned to the public markets: in 2018, it became listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. China National Bluestar remained the largest shareholder according to the company’s 2024 annual-report information cited in the reference material. Today, Elkem operates as an international producer of silicones, silicon materials, foundry alloys, carbon products and microsilica. Its materials serve industrial value chains rather than primarily consumer-facing markets. Applications associated with these product families include industrial manufacturing, metal casting, construction, electronics, mobility, energy and other sectors that require engineered performance from silicon, silicone, carbon or alloy materials. The company’s manufacturing footprint comprises more than 30 production sites worldwide, and its workforce exceeds 7,200 employees according to 2024 information. Elkem’s scale, portfolio and production network reflect a strategy based on specialized materials, process know-how and integration into demanding industrial supply chains.
History
Elkem traces its origins to 1904, when Sam Eyde founded Det Norske Aktieselskab for elektro-kemisk Industri, generally referred to as Elektrokemisk. The company was established during a period when Norway was developing energy-intensive electrochemical industries based on its hydropower resources. Early financing came from the Wallenberg family and Knut Tillberg, giving the enterprise an industrial and financial foundation for expansion. In 1917, Elkem acquired a ferroalloy plant and began manufacturing the Söderberg electrode. The electrode became an important part of electric-furnace operations, and its production connected Elkem’s chemical expertise with the needs of the metallurgical industry. This period established a pattern that continued throughout the company’s history: combining process technology, energy-intensive production and specialized materials for industrial customers. Elkem broadened its activities in 1972 through a merger with Christiania Spigerverk. The combined business also produced steel, making Elkem more diversified than a narrowly defined chemical company. During the 1980s, Elkem pursued international expansion and acquired Union Carbide plants in Norway and North America between 1981 and 1984. It also acquired the plants at Thamshavn and Bjølvefossen in 1986. These transactions expanded the company’s production capacity and geographic reach while reinforcing its role in silicon, alloy and related industrial materials. The company continued its acquisition-led development in the 2000s. Its transactions included Icelandic Alloy, Remi Claeys Aluminium and Sapa, bringing additional alloy and aluminium-related activities into the broader portfolio. In January 2005, Orkla bought a controlling stake in Elkem. Under Orkla ownership, the company also undertook operational changes, including the 2006 closure of the Meraker plant. The closure affected around 100 employees and represented a contraction of part of the inherited production network. A major ownership change occurred in January 2011, when Orkla sold Elkem to China National Bluestar for approximately US$2 billion. The transaction moved Elkem from Norwegian industrial-group control into Chinese ownership while preserving its identity as an international materials producer. Elkem later became publicly traded again, listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2018 under the ticker ELK. Elkem’s present portfolio comprises silicones, silicon, alloys for the foundry industry, carbon products, microsilica and other materials. The business serves industrial customers across multiple regions and application sectors. Its materials are used in manufacturing chains where thermal performance, chemical resistance, electrical properties, reinforcement, alloy composition or process efficiency are important. Rather than relying on a single consumer product, Elkem’s market position is based on specialized materials, production assets and technical knowledge. Information cited from the company’s 2024 annual-report period describes a workforce of more than 7,200 employees and 31 production sites worldwide. China National Bluestar is identified as the largest shareholder, with Folketrygdfondet and Must Invest among other significant shareholders. Elkem therefore combines a Norwegian historical identity, Chinese majority ownership and a publicly listed international operating structure.
- 2018
Listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange
[1]Elkem became publicly listed under the ticker ELK.
- 2011
Sold to China National Bluestar
[1]Orkla sold Elkem to China National Bluestar in a transaction reported at approximately US$2 billion.
- 2006
Meraker plant closed
[1]The Meraker plant was closed, affecting approximately 100 jobs.
- 2005
Orkla takes control
[1]Orkla acquired a controlling stake in Elkem.
- 1986
Thamshavn and Bjølvefossen plants acquired
[1]Elkem acquired two additional industrial plants in Norway.
- 1981
Union Carbide plant acquisition program begins
[1]Elkem began acquiring Union Carbide plants in Norway and North America.
- 1972
Merger with Christiania Spigerverk
[1]The merger expanded Elkem’s industrial activities and added steel production.
- 1917
Ferroalloy plant acquired and Söderberg electrode production begins
[1]Elkem entered ferroalloy production and began manufacturing the Söderberg electrode.
- 1904
Company founded as Elektrokemisk
[1]Sam Eyde founded Det Norske Aktieselskab for elektro-kemisk Industri, the company that later became Elkem.
Products and positioning
A vertically experienced, globally operating industrial-materials producer focused on silicon-based materials, silicones, alloys, carbon products and microsilica for demanding manufacturing and infrastructure applications.
Specialty chemicals
Silicones
Elkem produces silicone materials as part of its specialty-chemicals portfolio. Silicone products are used where customers require combinations of flexibility, durability, thermal stability, chemical resistance or electrical performance. The reference material identifies silicones as one of Elkem’s principal business areas, although it does not specify individual product names or formulations.
Industrial materials
Silicon
Silicon is a core Elkem material produced for industrial value chains. It supports applications that depend on silicon’s chemical and metallurgical properties and is connected to the company’s long history in electrochemical and furnace-based production. Specific grades and end-use sectors are not detailed in the supplied reference material.
Metallurgical materials · 1917
Foundry alloys and ferroalloys
Elkem produces alloys for the foundry industry and other ferroalloy materials. These products are used by metal producers and foundries to control composition and improve the characteristics of cast or processed metals. Elkem’s involvement in this area dates back to its 1917 acquisition of a ferroalloy plant.
Carbon materials
Carbon products
Carbon products form another major Elkem business area. They are associated with high-temperature industrial processes and metallurgical operations in which carbon-based materials provide electrical, thermal or structural functions. The supplied material does not identify particular product families or trade names.
Construction and specialty materials
Microsilica
Elkem produces microsilica, a fine silicon-containing material used in technical and industrial applications, including applications associated with construction materials. Its value generally comes from particle size and pozzolanic or performance-enhancing characteristics, but the supplied reference does not provide detailed specifications or branded product names.
Electrochemical and furnace materials · 1917
Söderberg electrodes
Elkem began producing Söderberg electrodes after acquiring a ferroalloy plant in 1917. The technology is associated with electrodes used in electric furnaces and illustrates the company’s historical connection to energy-intensive electrochemical and metallurgical production.
Brand decisions
2018
List the company on the Oslo Stock ExchangeOtherBackground
After becoming part of China National Bluestar in 2011, Elkem returned to the public equity market.
Action taken
Elkem listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under ticker ELK.
Aftermath
The listing gave Elkem a publicly traded structure while China National Bluestar remained its largest shareholder according to the cited 2024 annual-report information.
2011
Sell Elkem to China National BluestarM&ABackground
Orkla controlled Elkem before the transaction and sold the company as part of a major ownership change.
Action taken
Orkla sold Elkem to China National Bluestar in January 2011.
Aftermath
Elkem became part of China National Bluestar while continuing as an international materials business. The transaction was reported at approximately US$2 billion.
Reported transaction value. Approximately US$2 billion transaction value (January 2011)
2006
Close the Meraker plantStrategyBackground
Elkem had acquired the Meraker plant from Union Carbide in 1981. The facility was subsequently closed during the period when Orkla controlled Elkem.
Action taken
Elkem shut the Meraker plant, affecting approximately 100 employees.
Aftermath
The closure reduced part of Elkem’s production network and resulted in the loss of around 100 jobs.
Recent events
Viridis Bulk Carriers signs MoUs with five cargo owners[2]
Viridis Bulk Carriers signed MoUs with Elkem, Vestkorn, BioMar, Franzefoss Minerals and Saltimport to develop a zero-emission freight network using its ships and the cargo owners’ volumes.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Elkem signs agreement to acquire French silicones plant[3]
Elkem signed an agreement to acquire a newly built plant near Lyon, France, designed to produce organo-functional silicones.
Reported
Elkem selected for CDP climate change A List[4]
Elkem was selected for CDP's climate change A List, which recognizes companies for environmental transparency and action. The article states that this was Elkem's first year of CDP Climate reporting.
Reported
Elkem agrees to acquire Polysil[5]
Elkem ASA entered into an agreement to acquire all shares in Polysil. Completion remained subject to final regulatory approvals, with closing expected by the end of the first quarter of 2020.
Sources7 sources
- 1Elkemen.wikipedia.org
- 2Viridis Bulk Carriers 与五家货主签署谅解备忘录hellenicshippingnews.com
- 3Elkem签署协议收购法国有机功能硅酮工厂chemengonline.com
- 4Elkem入选CDP气候变化A名单prnewswire.com
- 5Elkem同意收购Polysilprnewswire.com
- 6Elkem Acquires New Plant In France To Accelerate Growth In Specialized Siliconestextileworld.com
- 7Elkem acquires Polysil, a leading Chinese silicone elastomer & resins companychemeurope.com
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