Prysmian Group has partnered with Rio Tinto to develop low-carbon aluminum building wire using ELYSIS aluminum. This innovative process eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions during smelting, supporting Prysmian’s broader sustainability strategy and push toward low-carbon materials in North America.
Advancing Low-Carbon Aluminum Innovation
The partnership focuses on testing ELYSIS aluminum in U.S. wire production. Unlike traditional methods, this process uses inert anodes and releases oxygen instead of CO₂, significantly reducing emissions.
Prysmian will initially use the material in limited volumes due to supply constraints. However, broader adoption will depend on increased availability and continued validation in industrial applications.
Performance and Market Potential
Engineers report that ELYSIS aluminum delivers performance comparable to conventional aluminum. Testing shows no significant differences in mechanical strength or electrical conductivity, making it suitable for building wire applications.
In addition, industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, and packaging have already adopted this material, demonstrating its reliability in demanding environments.
Supporting Sustainability and Industry Transition
Currently, low-carbon aluminum carries a higher cost due to early-stage production and limited scale. However, the process offers a significantly lower carbon footprint and long-term operational benefits, including durable, non-consumable anodes.
This initiative builds on a 2023 supply agreement between Prysmian and Rio Tinto for low-carbon aluminum produced using renewable hydropower in Canada. Now, both companies are expanding collaboration into research and development, focusing on recyclability, traceability, and circularity.
Overall, Prysmian’s early adoption of ELYSIS aluminum positions the company at the forefront of decarbonizing wire and cable manufacturing. As the technology scales, it will play a key role in supporting net zero goals and reducing the environmental impact of global infrastructure.
