Starting Construction of the ELYSIS Commercial-Scale Inert Anode Pots

Our ELYSIS joint venture reached a major milestone on 29 June as construction began on the first 450-kiloampere (kA) commercial-grade prototype pots at Alma Works.

ELYSIS, led by Alcoa and Rio Tinto, is working on bring its revolutionary process to market for the aluminium industry. The pots are designed to eliminate all direct greenhouse gas emissions and generate oxygen as a by-product.

During a press event at the Alma site, Sébastien Ross said, “ELYSIS decided to pursue its development here because of our researchers’ world-class expertise, the proven known-how of our 4,000 employees, our rich ecosystem of specialised equipment manufacturers and the various companies involved in aluminium transformation in the vicinity. And this is just the beginning.”

This press event was attended by François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, who announced an additional $20 million in funding from the Government of Canada to support the project.

Thanks to this funding from the federal government, we can create a unique commercial-scale technology showcase of the smelting process using inert anodes for future customers; we can, moreover, develop our supply chain by involving local and regional manufacturers and equipment manufacturers in the project.

Ross added, “By demonstrating the commercial viability of the ELYSIS technology at the proof-of-concept stage, we will be well positioned to benefit from the growth of this new industry and the resulting job creation.”

ELYSIS is working to complete the demonstration of this technology by 2024 and thereafter proceed with marketing activities.