Rio Tinto enhancing low-carbon aluminium production by installing carbon-free electrolysis tanks with ELYSIS technology

Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational company and the world’s second largest metals and mining corporation, officially announced on Friday, June 28, that it would deploy carbon-free aluminium electrolysis tanks at a new plant near Arvida aluminium smelter in Quebec, Canada, leveraging ELYSIS technology invented by ground-breaking partnership between Alcoa and Rio Tinto.

This move will allow the continued development of the new ELYSIS ^MD technology while enabling Rio Tinto to hire expertise for installing and operating the technology. The same technology successfully demonstrated at the ELYSIS Industrial Research and Development Center in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean will be implemented at the plant, offering Rio Tinto a learning opportunity about the full industrialization of ELYSIS ^MD technology. 

Rio Tinto has acquired the authorisation of designing, engineering, and building a demonstration plant equipped with ten tanks operating at 100 kiloamperes. As per the report, Rio Tinto and the government of Quebec will jointly own the plant, investing US$179 million (C$235 million) and US$106 million (C$140 million), respectively. The total investment required for this plant is US$285 million (C$375 million).

Located at the adjacent of the existing Arvida aluminium complex, the plant will operate with a production capacity of up to 2,500 tonnes of commercial-grade aluminium per year without generating direct greenhouse gas emissions. The strategic location next to Arvida will allow the plant accessing to the existing alumina stockpiles and casting centre. The plant’s operation is scheduled to start in 2027.

Jérôme Pécresse, CEO, Rio Tinto Aluminum, said: “This investment will strengthen Rio Tinto's leading position in the responsible, low-carbon aluminum sector in North America, thanks to our aluminum smelters powered by by hydroelectricity and our recycling capacities. Being the first to deploy ELYSIS MD carbon-free electrolysis technology is the next step in our decarbonization and growth strategy for our Canadian aluminum operations. In addition to providing our customers with even lower carbon primary aluminum, this investment will enable Rio Tinto to develop its expertise in the installation and implementation of this new technology as the ELYSIS joint venture continues its research and development work to extract its full potential.”

The Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy of Quebec, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region, Pierre Fitzgibbon, declared: “ELYSISMD is a true disruptive technology for the industry, and it is thanks to Quebec's expertise that we are the first in the world to produce GHG-free aluminum. This is a technological innovation with unprecedented benefits for our aluminum sector, which remains an undisputed world leader."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said: "Canada has everything it takes to be the world's green supplier of choice, which is why our government is working with key industry players like Rio Tinto to produce low-carbon aluminum. Groundbreaking projects like ELYSIS MD electrolysis technology will allow Canada to remain at the forefront of tomorrow's economy while focusing on its carbon reduction goals. When economic benefits are coupled with a commitment to developing green solutions, it’s a win for Canadian industry, our cleantech ecosystem and our workers.”