AL Circle's weekly wrap
Rio Tinto enhancing low-carbon aluminium production by installing carbon-free electrolysis tanks with ELYSIS technology
Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational company and the world’s second largest metals and mining corporation, officially announced on Friday, June 28, that it would deploy carbon-free aluminium electrolysis tanks at a new plant near?Arvida aluminium smelter in Quebec, Canada, leveraging ELYSIS technology invented by ground-breaking partnership between Alcoa and Rio Tinto.
This move will allow the continued development of the new ELYSIS?MD?technology while enabling Rio Tinto to hire expertise for installing and operating the technology. The same technology successfully demonstrated at the ELYSIS Industrial Research and Development Center in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean will be implemented at the plant, offering Rio Tinto a learning opportunity about the full industrialization of ELYSIS?MD?technology.?
Rio Tinto has acquired the authorisation of designing, engineering, and building a demonstration plant equipped with ten tanks operating at 100 kiloamperes. As per the report, Rio Tinto and the government of Quebec will jointly own the plant, investing US$179 million (C$235 million) and US$106 million (C$140 million), respectively. The total investment required for this plant is US$285 million (C$375 million).
Located at the adjacent of the existing Arvida aluminium complex, the plant will operate with a production capacity of up to 2,500 tonnes of commercial-grade aluminium per year without generating direct greenhouse gas emissions. The strategic location next to Arvida will allow the plant accessing to the existing alumina stockpiles and casting centre. The plant’s operation is scheduled to start in 2027. Read the full news here.
Capral Aluminium confirms the receipt of its first ASI-certified primary metal shipment from Hydro
According to a recent report, Capral Aluminium, Australia’s largest extruder and distributor of industry-leading aluminium products, has secured its first ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) certified shipment from the Norwegian aluminium company Hydro.
Receipt of the first ASI-certified aluminium establishes Capral’s value and commitment towards sustainability and responsible metal sourcing practices across the supply chain. This milestone also builds Capral’s strategic partnership with Hydro for the supply of ASI CoC-certified aluminium.
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative and its Chain of Custody (CoC) certification are recognised globally as premium standards for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of aluminium throughout the supply chain. ?The Chain of Custody Standard certification explicitly reviews the flow of ASI-certified aluminium, ensuring that each stage of metal production and end-use product manufacture meets environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The certification attests to the product being responsibly sourced and produced.
Luke Hawkins, General Manager Industrial and Supply Chain of Capral Aluminium, commented: “Capral is committed to embedding sustainability and responsible procurement practices throughout our supply chain; strategic partnerships with suppliers like Hydro who adhere to rigorous industry standards are fundamentally important to our ongoing sustainability and procurement strategies. Moreover, it underscores Hydro’s commitment to being a responsible supplier and ensuring their products meet the highest sustainability criteria.” He added, “As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring sustainability within our business, Capral is focused on strengthening its relationship with ASI CoC partners and procuring more ASI Certified aluminium. We want to work with partners who have robust ESG policies in place and who are demonstrating that sustainability is front of mind.”?
This feat also marks Hydro’s first ASI CoC-certified aluminium shipment into the Australian market. Read the full news here.
Barra do Dande hosts the launch of aluminium industrial park project, boosting Angola-China ties
The much-awaited Huatong Aluminium Industrial Park project, initiated by the Angolan authorities, finally started on Saturday, June 22nd. The Angolan authorities gathered in Barra do Dande to kick off the construction of a $1.6 billion aluminium industrial park.
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The Huatong Aluminium Industrial Park project
This event marks a significant milestone and is expected to boost the Angola-China economic cooperation. The project is anticipated to create approximately 12,000 jobs and generate US$3 billion in revenue. The project is planned to be completed in five phases over 8 to 10 years. According to a statement from the provincial government of Bengo, once the industrial chain is fully established, the park will produce a range of aluminium products, including ingots, alloy ingots, tram poles, rods, sheets, and rolls.
Under the banner of the Huatong Aluminium Industrial Park project, Huatong Angola Industry, a consortium formed by two subsidiaries of Hebei Huatong Wires & Cables Group, is leading the charge. Huatong Chairman Zhang Wendong has reaffirmed the consortium's dedication to nurturing a lasting partnership in Angola and promoting extensive collaboration.
The company anticipates that over 80 per cent of its production will be exported, potentially generating at least US$400 million annually in foreign exchange for Angola. Chinese Ambassador to Angola, Zhang Bin, has expressed optimism that the industrial park and the government's institutional support will serve as a magnet for more Chinese companies to invest in Angola.
Phases of the project
Phase one, with an estimated investment of US$250 million, is set to commence operations next year and produce approximately 120,000 tonnes of electrolytic aluminium annually. This phase will employ around 1,200 workers, predominantly Angolan nationals, and may generate annual revenue of US$250 million.
Phase two, anticipated to be operational within four years, will require an investment of US$450 million. This phase aims to create 2,300 additional jobs and increase annual revenue to over US$500 million.
“This important and significant investment undoubtedly materialises another notable milestone in the Angola and China economic cooperation agenda,” said Carlos Manuel de Carvalho Rodrigues, Angolan secretary of state for industry.
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