Silicon, symbol Si and atomic number 14, is a hard, brittle crystalline solid with a metallic lustre. Found primarily in forms like sand, quartz, and silicates, it is rarely pure in nature due to its affinity for oxygen.

Silicon is instrumental in the construction, electronics, and energy sectors. It's pivotal in the digital era, commonly used in chips and circuits, and critical for photovoltaic cells in solar panels.

Silicon's role in photovoltaics is substantial, comprising 90-95% of materials in solar modules. It’s also emerging as a potential game-changer in battery technology.

Silicon metal is produced through high-temperature processes involving sand and carbon. For higher purity, required in electronics and solar cells, further chemical processing is used.

China dominates the global silicon metal production. The market is expected to grow, driven by demand in electronics, photovoltaics, and battery technology.

Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are essential for understanding the environmental impacts of silicon production. They help identify and mitigate high-impact areas across its supply chain.

Sustainability challenges include high energy consumption and CO2 emissions during production. Solutions include using bio-based reducing agents and recycling silicon despite the purity challenges.