In Quebec, Canada, Rio Tinto is set to adopt new Elysis carbon-free technology at their Arvida smelting complex. This cutting-edge technology aims to accelerate the transition to more environmentally friendly production methods. With the implementation of this new technology, traditional aluminum production methods will be replaced, resulting in the elimination of greenhouse gases while producing oxygen.
A pilot plant with 10 furnaces operating at 100 kiloamperes will be designed and built at the complex. Elysis employs inert anode technology, which eliminates the carbon component in the process of separating aluminum from oxygen. This means that only oxygen will be released from the chamber, significantly reducing carbon emissions. In Canada alone, this technology could reduce about 7 million tons of greenhouse gases per year.
Not only does this technology improve occupational health and safety and reduce capital intensity and operating costs, but it also increases productivity. It can be retrofitted to both existing and new smelting facilities, making it a versatile solution for reducing carbon emissions in the aluminum industry. The pilot plant is expected to start operations in 2027 and will produce up to 2,500 tonnes of commercial-quality aluminum without directly emitting any greenhouse gases.
Further development of Elysis technology is underway, with larger 450kA test chambers being built at Rio Tinto’s Alma smelter. The ultimate goal is to continue reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable production process for aluminum products.
