Aluminum Breakthrough Brings Elysis Technology Closer to Market

A collaboration between Alcoa Corp. and Rio Tinto Plc to use less polluting methods to produce aluminum is a step closer to commercialization after their venture hit a technological milestone at a Quebec smelter.

The joint venture, known as Elysis, said work at Rio Tinto’s Alma smelter showed it can do high-amperage aluminum production with no direct carbon dioxide emissions from the smelting process. Testing will continue on the technology, which was designed for industrial demonstration purposes, with the goal of commercial development by 2030.