In a significant leap towards sustainable industrial practices, a British-Australian mining company's facility in Canada is set to debut a groundbreaking carbon-free aluminium smelting technology. Known as the Elysis technology, this innovation aims to revolutionize the aluminium industry by eliminating all direct greenhouse gas emissions and producing oxygen as a by-product.
The Elysis Technology
The Elysis technology, a collaborative effort between aluminium giants Alcoa and Rio Tinto, will be installed at Rio Tinto’s Arvida smelter in Quebec. This technology replaces the traditional carbon-intensive smelting process with an inert anode technology that only releases oxygen, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of aluminium production.
The project is supported by substantial investments from Rio Tinto and the Government of Québec, through Investissement Québec, totalling US$285 million (CAN$375 million). "This pilot operation will be a critical step in Rio Tinto’s learning journey towards full-scale industrialization of the Elysis technology," the company stated.
Decarbonizing the Aluminum Industry
Aluminium has been favoured for sustainable product development due to its strength, lightweight properties, and infinite recyclability. With stricter emission regulations on the horizon, manufacturers and producers globally are focusing on decarbonizing their operations and supply chains.
Elysis technology has the potential to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7 million metric tons, equivalent to taking 1.8 million cars off the road if implemented solely in Canada. This technology not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances occupational health and safety, reduces capital intensity and operational costs, and boosts productivity.
Scaling Up Elysis Technology
Rio Tinto anticipates that the new plant will begin production in 2027, with a capacity to produce up to 2,500 tons of commercial-quality aluminium annually without direct greenhouse gas emissions. The proximity to existing casting and alumina supply facilities will facilitate this production.
Through an offtake agreement, Elysis joint venture partner Alcoa will have the option to purchase a portion of the aluminum produced at the Arvida demonstration plant during the first four years. Jérôme Pécresse, Chief Executive at Rio Tinto, remarked, "In addition to delivering even lower-carbon primary aluminium for our customers, this investment will allow Rio Tinto to build its expertise on installing and operating this new technology, while the Elysis joint venture continues its research and development work to scale it up to its full potential".
Conclusion
The debut of the Elysis technology in Canada marks a pivotal moment in the aluminium industry, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly production methods. With significant investments and collaborative efforts from industry leaders, this innovation promises to pave the way for a more sustainable future.
