Rio Tinto and Prysmian partner to produce low-carbon aluminum cables for data centers
Type: Partnership · Technology: Data Center · Country: Canada · Announced: 2026-03-12
Rio Tinto and Prysmian entered into a five-year supply agreement in October 2023 to produce low-carbon aluminum cables, specifically targeting the rapidly expanding data center market. This partnership leverages Rio Tinto's hydro-powered Alma smelter and ELYSIS technology, which eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from aluminum smelting, combined with Prysmian's cable manufacturing expertise. The collaboration aims to accelerate the introduction of lower-carbon aluminum solutions across various applications, including energy transmission and data centers, supporting the decarbonization of critical IT infrastructure. The companies have brought together their respective technologies and R&D capabilities to achieve these goals.
Analysis
Global mining leader Rio Tinto is deploying its ELYSIS technology, which eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from aluminum smelting, to produce low-carbon metal from its hydro-powered Alma smelter in Canada. This innovative aluminum will feed a five-year supply agreement, signed in October 2023, with Prysmian for cable manufacturing. The partnership specifically targets the rapidly expanding data center market, aiming to decarbonize critical IT infrastructure. Announced March 12, 2026, this collaboration leverages both companies' R&D to accelerate lower-carbon aluminum solutions beyond data centers, into areas like energy transmission.
Key points
- 5-year supply agreement signed October 2023.
- Rio Tinto's ELYSIS technology eliminates direct GHG emissions from aluminum smelting.
- Low-carbon aluminum sourced from hydro-powered Alma smelter in Canada.
- Partnership announced March 12, 2026, targeting data center decarbonization.