Rio Tinto and Hydro have formed a strategic partnership to develop carbon capture technologies for aluminum smelting operations, investing $45 million over five years. The collaboration aims to reduce CO2 emissions from the aluminum electrolysis process, targeting one of the industry’s largest decarbonization challenges.
Key Partnership Details
The agreement includes:
- Shared research and development activities
- Laboratory testing with external suppliers
- On-site pilot projects
- Development of commercial carbon capture solutions
Research will be conducted at Rio Tinto’s European facilities and Hydro’s Norwegian operations, focusing on capturing CO2 from smelter flue gas with approximately 1% volume concentration.
Industry Challenge: Aluminum’s Carbon Footprint
Aluminum production faces significant environmental challenges in its carbon footprint. Anode consumption in the production process generates 75% of direct smelter CO2 emissions, while over 50% of smelting power comes from coal plants. The combined impact makes the sector a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Technology Development Focus
The partnership addresses two main technical approaches:
- Adapting direct air capture for higher CO2 concentrations
- Modifying point source technologies for lower concentrations
Both methods currently have low technology readiness levels and require substantial development to reach commercial scale.
Company Commitments
Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm emphasized the partnership’s role in achieving their 2050 Net Zero emissions target, while Hydro President Eivind Kallevik highlighted carbon capture as crucial for decarbonizing existing smelters.
This collaboration complements other decarbonization initiatives:
- Hydro’s HalZero technology
- Rio Tinto’s ELYSIS joint venture
- Individual company sustainability programs
Industry Transformation
According to McKinsey’s Global Materials Perspective 2024, the metals and mining sector is undergoing significant change. Total emissions are projected to decrease 15% over the next decade, driven by growing demand for low-carbon products. Industry experts emphasize that cross-industry collaboration is essential for successful transition. The Rio Tinto-Hydro partnership represents a significant step toward transforming the 135-year-old aluminum production process, addressing urgent climate challenges while meeting increasing market demand for sustainable materials.
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