Rio Tinto is leading an EU-funded project to consider replacing the carbon anode typically used in aluminium production. Installing an inert anode would be a major technology breakthrough, decreasing CO2 emissions by at least 50% compared with the current process.

The Horizon 2020 funded project aims to develop the technology for manufacturing a specific anodic material at industrial scale. Rio Tinto and other partners will also monitor the economic viability and environmental impact of both the inert anode and its manufacturing process.

Industrial, laboratories and state organisations of 4 European countries – France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands – participate in the project.