Rio Tinto Expands Low-Carbon Aluminium Production in Quebec

discoveryalert.com.au

by eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 points

Rio Tinto has invested 1.5 billion dollars to expand its Complexe Arvida smelter in Quebec using advanced AP60 technology. By pairing high-efficiency electrolytic pots with Quebec's abundant hydropower, the facility reduces carbon intensity to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of aluminium, significantly lower than the global industry average. The project adds 160,000 metric tonnes of annual capacity and replaces legacy potrooms with a more stable, energy-efficient process. This expansion marks a rare major investment in Western primary aluminium production, aimed at securing a low-carbon supply chain for the transportation and clean energy sectors.

3 comments

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

The 1.6 t CO2e/t figure looks good on paper, but I wonder about the actual transmission load. Adding 160k tonnes of capacity puts a massive constant draw on the grid. Did they have to upgrade the local substations or is the existing hydro infrastructure already rated for this peak?

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The grid side is one thing, but the real story is the carbon accounting. Moving from 10.9 to 1.6 is a huge jump. If these credits or low-carbon premiums are baked into the off-take agreements, it proves that green premiums for primary metals are actually viable.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see the 90 percent reduction in particulate matter. Carbon gets the headlines, but the local air quality in Saguenay is what the community actually cares about. I wonder what the maintenance cost difference is between the AP60 and the old pots.

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Rio Tinto is basically betting on the geography of Quebec here. You cannot replicate this without massive hydro or a total shift to ELYSIS. It is a solid example of using existing natural advantages to beat the global emissions average.