Rio Tinto and cable manufacturer Prysmian announced a partnership to produce low‑carbon aluminium cables for the data‑centre market, leveraging Rio Tinto’s ELYSIS smelting technology that eliminates direct greenhouse‑gas emissions and produces oxygen.
The collaboration builds on a five‑year supply agreement signed in 2023 and an industrial trial that uses aluminium from Rio Tinto’s Alma smelter in Quebec and ELYSIS‑produced aluminium. The trial will deliver cables that meet stringent environmental standards, including the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative and EU Green Deal criteria.
Data‑centre cable demand is projected to grow 17% annually in North America through 2030, and low‑carbon aluminium is expected to capture a larger share of this market as operators seek ESG‑aligned materials. The partnership positions Rio Tinto to capture a share of the green building‑materials market and supports its broader decarbonisation strategy.
Prysmian reported FY2025 revenues of €19.65 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.2%. Rio Tinto’s H2 2025 earnings summary showed a 9% rise in underlying EBITDA to $25.4 billion. The partnership aligns with both companies’ sustainability targets—Prysmian’s Net‑Zero by 2035 and Rio Tinto’s commitment to reduce GHG emissions through ELYSIS.
"This partnership with Prysmian demonstrates Rio Tinto's ability to deliver innovative, low‑carbon aluminium solutions tailored to our customers' needs. By combining our low‑carbon aluminium portfolio with breakthrough technologies like ELYSIS, we are aiming to support the decarbonisation of key growth markets, including the rapidly expanding data centre sector," said Matt Schicke, interim Vice President Sales and Marketing at Rio Tinto’s aluminium unit.
"As we work toward our goal of reaching Net Zero by 2035, we recognize that our customers, particularly in the data centre sector, share similar pledges. We are proud to provide sustainable solutions to customers who align with those values. Partnering with Rio Tinto allows us to leverage our existing supplier relationship and evolve sustainable innovations that benefit not only Prysmian, but our customers as well," said Srinivas Siripurapu, Prysmian’s Chief Sustainability, R&D, and Innovation Officer.
The collaboration validates ELYSIS technology in a commercial setting, potentially accelerating its deployment at Rio Tino’s Arvida smelter, and expands Prysmian’s product portfolio into a high‑growth, ESG‑driven segment, strengthening its competitive position against traditional copper‑based cable suppliers.
The partnership marks a milestone in the transition to low‑carbon infrastructure, aligning with global decarbonisation targets and offering a new revenue stream for both companies.
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