Rio Tinto Produces Low-Carbon Aluminum Rod in Partnership with Prysmian

Why It Matters

The partnership proves that carbon‑free aluminum can be commercialised at scale, helping data‑centre operators meet decarbonisation targets while creating a competitive advantage for both firms.

Key Takeaways

• Rio Tinto uses hydro‑powered and ELYSIS aluminum in trial
• Prysmian to source low‑carbon aluminum for data centre cables
• Five‑year supply agreement signed October 2023
• Data centre cable demand to grow 17% CAGR 2026‑2030
• Aluminum share rising as cost‑efficient power solution

Pulse Analysis

The trial marks a pivotal moment for low‑carbon metals, leveraging Rio Tinto’s hydro‑electric Alma smelter and its breakthrough ELYSIS process that replaces carbon‑intensive reduction with oxygen‑based electrolysis. By blending these streams, the companies demonstrated that high‑purity aluminum can be produced without direct greenhouse‑gas emissions, aligning with global initiatives to decarbonise heavy industry and offering a template for other metal producers seeking similar pathways.

Data centres are the new frontier for sustainable infrastructure. In 2025 they accounted for roughly 7% of North American cable demand, and analysts forecast a 17% compound annual growth rate through 2030. Operators require reliable, cost‑effective power distribution, and aluminum’s lighter weight and lower material cost make it an attractive alternative to copper. Low‑carbon aluminum further reduces the lifecycle emissions of cable networks, giving customers a tangible way to meet ESG commitments while maintaining performance standards.

Strategically, the five‑year supply deal secures a steady outlet for Rio Tinto’s green aluminum and deepens its partnership ecosystem, complementing recent collaborations such as the CATL agreement on mining electrification and battery recycling. For Prysmian, access to carbon‑neutral feedstock strengthens its value proposition in a market increasingly driven by sustainability criteria. As regulators tighten emissions standards and investors prioritize climate‑aligned assets, the ability to offer verifiable low‑carbon aluminum positions both firms at the forefront of the next wave of industrial decarbonisation.