Low-Carbon Aluminum for Data Centers: Rio Tinto and Prysmian Launch Industrial Cable Trial

Low-Carbon Aluminum for Data Centers Gains Momentum

Global demand for sustainable infrastructure drives innovation in power transmission materials. The low-carbon aluminum for data centers initiative now advances through a new industrial trial.

Rio Tinto partnered with Prysmian to develop aluminum cables for data center power systems. The companies combine advanced smelting and cable technologies to cut carbon emissions.

The project targets the rapidly expanding data center sector. According to CRU Group, data centers represented about seven percent of North American cable demand in 2025. Analysts expect demand to grow at roughly 17 percent annually between 2026 and 2030.

Meanwhile, operators increasingly select aluminum for power distribution. Aluminum offers lower costs and strong electrical performance across large server campuses.

Low-Carbon Aluminum for Data Centers Through Advanced Smelting

The trial integrates low-emissions aluminum production with specialized cable manufacturing. This approach helps customers reduce the carbon footprint of digital infrastructure.

Rio Tinto produced aluminum rod using metal from its hydropowered Alma Smelter. The facility already ranks among the lowest-emission aluminum plants globally.

Additionally, the company blended aluminum produced with Elysis aluminum smelting technology. Alcoa and Rio Tinto jointly developed this breakthrough technology.

Elysis eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions during aluminum smelting. Instead of carbon dioxide, the process releases oxygen as the main byproduct.

Strategic Partnership Expands Low-Carbon Materials

The cable initiative builds on a long-term supply partnership. In 2023, Rio Tinto signed a five-year aluminum supply agreement with Prysmian.

Both companies now combine research capabilities to accelerate sustainable cable solutions. The collaboration targets multiple sectors, including energy transmission and hyperscale data centers.

Executives say the partnership supports corporate climate goals. Prysmian aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2035 while serving customers with similar targets.

As a result, the low-carbon aluminum for data centers project aligns sustainability with growing digital infrastructure demand.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The low-carbon aluminum for data centers initiative highlights a strategic shift in metals demand. Data center expansion now drives new consumption patterns for aluminum and advanced conductors. Meanwhile, low-emission smelting technologies like Elysis strengthen aluminum’s position against copper in power infrastructure. As hyperscale facilities multiply worldwide, sustainable aluminum solutions may capture a larger share of the global cable market.