By Alton Tabereaux, Contributing Editor. Bauxite residue is an insoluble solid waste by-product generated after the digestion of gibbsitic bauxite ore with sodium hydroxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the Bayer process for the extraction of alumina. During the digestion process, aluminum minerals react with caustic soda process liquor to form soluble sodium aluminate […]
Alcoa formed an agreement with Nexans, a global cable producer, for the supply of primary aluminum produced using ELYSIS™ inert anode technology, which eliminates all direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional smelting process. “In the fight against climate change, solutions that support the world’s energy transition make a real difference,” said Vincent Dessale, chief […]
By Geoff Scamans, BCAST at Brunel University London and Innoval Technology. Vehicles must become inherently more efficient and lightweight if automotive OEMs are to meet global emissions targets. The implementation of aluminum has helped move OEMs toward this goal, and as a result, there has been significant growth in aluminum intensive vehicles (AIVs) over the […]
By Alton Tabereaux, Contributing Editor. Sixty-eight million tonnes of primary aluminum were produced worldwide in smelters in 2021. According to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), the aluminum sector was directly responsible for 275 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2021, a 2% increase over the previous year. If the indirect emissions from electricity are included, the […]
Under a new partnership, Rio Tinto plans to provide responsibly sourced aluminum to the BMW Group’s vehicle production plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for use in body components beginning in 2024. Low-carbon primary aluminum from Rio Tinto’s hydro-powered operations in Canada, combined with recycled content, could generate a reduction of up to 70% in CO2 […]
By Rose Eaton, Light Metal Age. The aluminum canoe has its place in the hearts of many Americans, who enjoyed childhood summers on rivers or lakes, paddles clanging against the warm metal boat, soaking up the rays of the sun. If they ever wondered why the canoes were made of aluminum, it was partially due […]
By Alton Tabereaux, Contributing Editor. The European primary aluminum industry has been deeply impacted by surging energy prices. This is due to a combination of factors, including increasing demand, skyrocketing natural gas prices, and insufficient quantities of affordable renewable (wind, solar, hydro) or nuclear energy. The invasion of Ukraine also significantly impacted supply chains, in […]
Alcoa Corporation completed the installation of upgraded energy infrastructure at its Deschambault aluminum smelter in Quebec, Canada. The $47 million capital investment project is expected to improve stability, increase efficiency, and boost production at the smelter. “Through continuous improvement, we have been able to economically increase the capabilities of many of our assets,” said John […]
ELYSIS, the joint venture between Alcoa and Rio Tinto, is strengthening its ties with Apple. The company has produced the first commercial-purity primary aluminum at industrial scale, which will be used in Apple products. The breakthrough technology produces oxygen instead of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and the achievement marks a major milestone in the production of […]
