The production of AlN by thermal reduction of Al2O3 in a N-2 flow, with C/CH4 as reducing agents, is investigated using concentrated thermal radiation as the energy source of high-temperature process heat. Samples were directly exposed to radiative fluxes equivalent to peak solar concentration ratios exceeding 4500 suns (1 sun = 1 kW/m(2)) and subjected to temperatures in the 2100-2300 K range. Experimental data were fitted to an Arrhenius-type solid-solid kinetic model with an apparent activation energy of 360 kJ.mol(-1). The catalytic effect of activated carbon and metals (Fe,Ni) was examined. revealing that metallic particles served as nucleation sites for carbon filamental growth.