Rio Tinto and Prysmian have started an industrial trial to produce low-carbon aluminium cables for the data centre sector. The project combines aluminium production and cable technology to reduce the carbon footprint of IT infrastructure.

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For the trial, Rio Tinto produced an aluminium rod using a mix of low-carbon aluminium from its hydropowered Alma smelter in Quebec, Canada and aluminium made with ELYSIS technology. This technology removes direct greenhouse gas emissions from aluminium smelting and releases oxygen instead of carbon dioxide.

The two companies signed a five-year supply agreement in 2023. The partnership combines their technologies and research capabilities to develop lower-carbon aluminium products for applications like energy transmission and data centres.

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Demand for data centre infrastructure is increasing. According to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Ireland, the data centre sector accounted for about 7 per cent of total cable demand in North America in 2025. Demand is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 17 per cent between 2026 and 2030.

CRU also expects aluminium to take a larger share of data centre cables, as operators look for more cost-efficient power distribution across campuses and server facilities.

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Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and metals company, and Prysmian Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of energy and telecom cables based in Milan, Italy. Through the trial, Rio Tinto and Prysmian aim to supply lower-carbon aluminium cables while supporting the expansion of the data centre industry and efforts to reduce emissions.

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