NORSUN AS

Their core work

Norsun is a Norwegian manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers for the photovoltaic (solar cell) industry. Their H2020 involvement centers on improving the efficiency and sustainability of solar cell manufacturing processes, from resource-efficient production methods to recovering valuable secondary raw materials like silicon, graphite, and silica from PV industry waste streams. They bring direct industrial production experience to EU research consortia focused on making European solar manufacturing more competitive and circular.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Norsun's early H2020 work (2015-2020) concentrated on optimizing solar cell manufacturing — improving production efficiency and automating PV module fabrication to strengthen European competitiveness. Their most recent project (ICARUS, 2021-2025) marks a clear pivot toward circular economy and waste valorization, specifically recovering silicon, graphite, and silica from their own industry's waste streams. This shift from "make PV manufacturing better" to "close the PV material loop" reflects broader European priorities around critical raw materials and resource independence.

Norsun is moving from pure production optimization toward circular economy and critical raw material recovery — expect future involvement in projects addressing PV recycling, silicon supply chain resilience, and industrial symbiosis.

How they like to work

Norsun consistently participates as a partner rather than leading consortia, which is typical for an industrial company contributing manufacturing expertise and production facilities to research-driven projects. With 44 unique partners across 12 countries in just 3 projects, they work in large, diverse consortia (averaging ~15 partners per project). This suggests they are comfortable operating in complex multi-partner environments and are valued for their real-world industrial perspective.

Norsun has built a broad European network of 44 partners across 12 countries through just three projects, indicating involvement in large consortia that span the PV value chain from research institutions to equipment manufacturers and end-users.

What sets them apart

Norsun offers something rare in EU research consortia: they are an actual silicon ingot and wafer manufacturer, not a research lab or consultancy. This means projects involving them get direct access to real production lines, industrial-scale testing, and first-hand knowledge of manufacturing bottlenecks. For anyone building a consortium around solar manufacturing, PV materials, or circular economy in the photovoltaic sector, Norsun provides the industrial validation that reviewers and programme officers look for.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Eco-Solar
  Largest EC contribution to Norsun (€736K), targeting ambitious 40%+ eco-efficiency improvement across the entire photovoltaic value chain.
• ICARUS
  Represents Norsun's strategic pivot to circular economy — recovering silicon, graphite, and silica from PV industry waste, their most recent and forward-looking project.