In Canada alone, Elysis technology has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by 7 million tonnes, equivalent to removing 1.8 million cars from the road. Not only that, the new technology will significantly reduce operating costs and boost capacity. The materials used in the anode are expected to last at least 30 times longer than conventional anodes.
The Quebec government will invest $20 million in the project to bring forward the start of work at the site. Some of the funds will be used to support regional manufacturing to supply standardized equipment for the new technology.
According to Rio Tinto Aluminium managing director of Atlantic operations Samir Cairae: “The road ahead is seeing the technology scaled up at our facilities in Quebec, where we already use clean hydropower to deliver some of the world’s lowest carbon aluminum. Putting this hydropower together with the Elysis technology can take aluminum to the next level as a sustainable material, and help cut the carbon footprint of everything from cars to smartphones, buildings and food and beverage packaging.”
By the end of 2024, the Elysis technology is to be retrofitted in all Rio’s and Alcoa’s existing smelters and installed in all new plants.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)
