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SILICON METAL
RIMA is the largest producer of silicon metal in Brazil and the second largest in the world. The silicon metal manufactured by RIMA is used in the metallurgical, chemical, electronic and photovoltaic industries.
Silicon metal is manufactured in submerged electric arc furnaces using high purity quartz from Rima’s own mines, own charcoal and special prebaked carbon electrodes.
It is an environmentally friendly product, as it uses charcoal produced from Rima’s own forestry units, whose reforestation is carried out continuously.
Metallurgical Grade
Having very low levels of impurities, Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal is used in the production of aluminum alloys, mainly for the automotive industry. The high purity of our product allows for quick solubility and high yield in the alloying process.
Chemical Grade
Chemical Grade Silicon Metal is the basic raw material in the production of special silicones also called light oils. Light oil products have applications in the areas of medicine, cosmetics, electronics, textile, automotive and construction.
Micronized Silicon
Used in the Semi-conductor Industry, Micronized Silicon is the main raw material in the production of Trichlorosilanes, which are transformed in diodes and processors of high performance (computer microchips). Polysilicon is the raw material used to make solar cells for a market that has been growing exponentially all over the world as an alternative for a new energy matrix.
Green Silicon-based Products
RIMA’s Silicon Metal and Ferroalloys process uses renewable resources such as charcoal and wood chips, while other technologies around the world use coal (fossil source). As a strategic premise of the company, RIMA produces charcoal and wood chips from its own reforestation areas, ensuring capture of CO2 and releasing O2 to the atmosphere. The electric energy used is also from renewable sources, which is typical for the Brazilian energy grid.
Based on studies conducted by specialists RIMA carried out the analysis of CO2 emissions of its Silicon Metal and Ferroalloys production at the Capitão Enéias and Várzea da Palma plants based on the “cradle-to-gate” methodology. In sum, Rima’s production process has negative CO2 emissions. In other words, RIMA’s process removes (captures) CO2 from the atmosphere at the rate of 1,466 kg of CO2/t of silicon produced, and additionally generates (releases) O2 to the atmosphere at the rate of 2,980 kg of O2/t of silicon produced.
Public Abstract Rima Industrial S.A.
PUBLIC ABSTRACT OF THE FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN – BURITIZEIRO – MG
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