FerroQuébec, a subsidiary of FerroAtlántica, a Spanish silicon giant, wanted to build a new silicon plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons in the Port-Cartier region.

As a result of emerging Chinese competition in the silicon market, the client had to abruptly cancel the project during detailed engineering. Detailed engineering work was advanced to 50 % before being halted.

Nature of services

• Pre-project study and analysis
• Engineering with an integrated design approach

Project features

• Design and planning of the following elements:

−	A heavy industrial building of nearly 16,000 m² comprising 5 silicon arc furnaces with a capacity of 30 MW each
−	Two rows of 14 silos with a total storage capacity of 2000 MT
−	Five dust collectors with a capacity of 330,000 Nm³/h
−	A building comprising a warehouse, an administration office and a storage area
−	Nearly 1 km of conveyors
−	Fifteen 13.8 kV / 600V electrical substations
−	A 161 kV high-voltage substation

• Implementation of a wood yard, charcoal manufacturing plant and cogeneration plant
• Modification of a water treatment plant

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