Rio Tinto will install carbon-free aluminum smelting cells at its Arvida smelter in Quebec, Canada, using the first technology license issued by the ELYSIS joint venture. This investment will support the continued development of the innovative ELYSISTM technology and allow Rio Tinto to gain experience in its installation and operation.
Rio Tinto will design and build a demonstration plant equipped with ten tanks operating at 100 kiloamperes (kA). The plant will be owned by a new joint venture in which Rio Tinto and the Government of Quebec, through Investissement Québec, will invest $179 million and $106 million, respectively, as equity partners, for a total investment of $285 million.
This facility will use the same technology that has been successfully demonstrated at the ELYSIS Research and Industrial Development Center in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean. This pilot operation will be a critical step in Rio Tinto’s learning path towards full-scale industrialization of ELYSISTM technology.
The plant will have the capacity to produce up to 2,500 tons of commercial-grade aluminum per year with no direct greenhouse gas emissions, with first production scheduled for 2027. It will be located adjacent to the existing Arvida smelter, which will allow the use of the existing alumina supply and smelting facilities.
Jérôme Pécresse, chief executive officer of Rio Tinto Aluminum, said, “This investment will further strengthen Rio Tinto’s leadership position in the responsible, low-carbon aluminum industry in North America with our hydro-powered smelters and our recycling capabilities. Becoming the first to deploy ELYSISTM carbon-free smelting technology is the next step in our strategy to decarbonize and grow our aluminum operations in Canada.”
In addition to providing even lower carbon primary aluminum for our customers, this investment will allow Rio Tinto to gain experience in installing and operating this new technology, while the ELYSIS joint venture continues its research and development work to scale it to its full potential.”
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy; Minister of Regional Economic Development; and Minister of the Metropolis and Region of Montreal, said, “ELYSISTM is a truly 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.”
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said: “Canada has everything it takes to be the preferred global green supplier, which is why our government is collaborating with key industry players like Rio Tinto to produce low-carbon aluminum. Innovative projects like the ELYSISTM smelter technology will ensure Canada stays at the forefront of tomorrow’s economy while also focusing on its carbon reduction goals. When economic benefits are combined with a commitment to developing green solutions, it’s a win for Canadian industry, our cleantech ecosystem and our workers.”
ELYSIS joint venture partner Alcoa will have the option to purchase from Rio Tinto a portion of the aluminum produced during the first four years at the Arvida demonstration plant through a purchase agreement.
The joint venture continues its research and development program to scale up the ELYSISTM technology and has completed the construction of larger 450 kA prototype cells at the end of an existing production line at Rio Tinto’s Alma smelter. ELYSIS has begun commissioning these industrial prototype cells, with the start-up sequence scheduled to begin in 2024.
A new era in the mining industry: Rio Tinto announces construction of the largest solar power plant in northern Canada.
A new era in the mining industry: Rio Tinto announces construction of the largest solar power plant in northern Canada.
commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly aluminum
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