Trimet tests CO2-free aluminium production on an industrial scale

Aluminium producer Trimet is testing a new technology for CO2-free aluminium production. At its production plant in Essen, the materials specialist is launching a demonstration facility to test the technology on an industrial scale.

Together with partners from the fields of research and materials development, Trimet has developed an innovative process that does not release carbon dioxide during aluminium electrolysis, thus reducing direct CO2 emissions in metal production to almost zero. Following the successful completion of the pilot phase, Trimet now plans to test the technology in three electrolysis furnaces under production conditions.
The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the “Decarbonisation in Industry” programme with approximately three million euros. “I am pleased that Trimet is taking the lead in developing technologies that move us towards climate neutrality while maintaining value creation and jobs in Germany”, emphasised Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, while handing over the funding notification in Essen.
“Green transformation needs aluminium. It is all the more important to produce this material in such a way that vehicles, energy systems, packaging and other products benefit from its ecological quality”, says Philipp Schlüter, Chairman of the Board of Trimet Aluminium SE. “With the development of an emissions-free furnace technology and the flexibility of the production process, we are aligning our aluminium smelters with the goal of climate-neutral aluminium production.”
Aluminium is produced using molten salt electrolysis. In this chemical process, electricity is passed through the raw material aluminium oxide. The necessary anodes and cathodes are made of carbon, which is consumed during production, releasing CO2. The process developed by Trimet uses what are known as inert anodes and cathodes. These are made from a material that releases oxygen instead of carbon dioxide during the electrolysis process, thus avoiding the emission of climate-damaging greenhouse gases.
In energy-intensive aluminium production, the CO2 emissions from electricity generation primarily impact the material’s carbon footprint. The increasing proportion of renewable energies will significantly reduce aluminium’s carbon footprint. In recent years, Trimet has retrofitted its production sites to flexibly handle fluctuating amounts of electricity from wind power plants and photovoltaic systems. With its inert furnace technology, the family-owned company is preparing to produce aluminium in a climate-neutral manner.
Source: Trimet