Rio Tinto, in partnership with the Government of Quebec and technology giant Apple, is set to build a demonstration plant using ELYSIS technology at the Arvida smelter. This plant will replace carbon anodes with inert ones, eliminating direct greenhouse gas emissions from the alumina smelting process. The joint venture between Rio Tinto and Alcoa, ELYSIS, has made significant progress, with plans to launch an industrial-scale demonstration by 2024. The companies are also working on scaling up the technology with larger prototype cells. The plant, expected to start production in 2027, will have the capacity to produce up to 2,500 tonnes per year of low-carbon aluminum.
Both Rio Tinto and Alcoa have developed proprietary low-carbon aluminum brands to meet the growing demand from industries such as automotive, packaging, and wire and cable. Fastmarkets has introduced US low-carbon aluminum differentials to provide transparency in pricing and meet market demand.
Rio Tinto’s investment in this low-carbon aluminum plant aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible operations. With the support of Investissement Québec and Apple, Rio Tinto aims to lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the aluminum industry. This project showcases the importance of partnerships and innovation in driving the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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