Rio Tinto's strategic leap: Bringing AP60 technology to new aluminium ventures

Rio Tinto will provide with access to its provenits cutting-edge AP60 technology to the Arctial partnership as the strategic industrial partner. This marks the first deployment of AP60 outside of Quebec, Canada. Developed by Rio Tinto, AP60 is widely regarded as one of the most efficient aluminium smelting technologies at a commercial scale, offering substantial potential for reduced carbon emissions in the aluminium industry.

The initial phase of the project will involve a feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment for the proposed aluminium plant in Kokkola. If successful, the project would represent the first primary aluminium development in continental Europe in over three decades, underscoring the region’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth.

In addition to Rio Tinto, Fortum will support the project. On December 4, 2024, AL Circle reported that one of the cleanest energy producers in Europe and a Finnish state-owned energy company located in Espoo, Finland, Fortum, leveraging decades of expertise in the Nordic energy market, will support a feasibility study aimed at exploring low-carbon aluminium manufacturing opportunities in Kokkola and Kronoby, Finland. Fortum will focus on developing long-term hedging strategies as the energy partner and ensuring electricity sourcing from its current and future generation assets.