Elkem Reports Second Fatality After Explosion at Saint-Fons Silicones Plant in France

12:18 AM EST, 12/29/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Elkem (ELK.OL) on Dec. 26 reported that a second employee died due to an explosion at the pilot workshop of its Elkem Silicones facility in Lyon, France, on Dec. 22. An initial fatality was confirmed on Dec. 24, with two additional workers still receiving treatment in the hospital. The Norway-based silicon-based materials provider said it deployed psychological support for the estimated 570 staff members who work at the site. "On behalf of Elkem's management and all our colleagues, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of our colleagues who lost their lives. Our company is in shock at the loss of two valued colleagues. We are fully committed to supporting our employees and their families in every way possible during this terrible time," Elkem Chief Executive Officer Helge Aasen said. The company's operations at its North and South facilities in Saint-Fons are temporarily closed ahead of their planned year-end closure, which was slated to last until Jan. 5, 2026. Elkem and French local authorities have initiated separate investigations into the incident. "We will thoroughly investigate what caused this tragedy and identify actions that can be taken to prevent it from ever happening again," Aasen said in the company's Dec. 24 announcement. Elkem's Saint-Fons-based plant manufactures specialized silicone products from materials such as oils, resins, gums, rubbers and sealants.