Nexans has announced a partnership with Alcoa, marking a significant step in the adoption of more environmentally friendly materials in the manufacturing of cables. Under this agreement, Alcoa will supply Nexans with low-carbon aluminum, a portion of which will be sourced from the innovative ELYSIS technology. This technology is notable for its elimination of all direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional aluminum smelting process, replacing them with oxygen.
As the first cable manufacturer to utilize the ELYSIS technology, Nexans aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with its products. The aluminum rod produced using this technology is expected to have a substantially lower CO2 footprint. This initiative is part of Nexans’ broader efforts to qualify the metal for use in a range of cable products, from low to high voltage, across several of its facilities in Western Europe and Scandinavia.
The collaboration between Nexans and Alcoa builds on a long-standing relationship, with Alcoa already supplying Nexans with EcoLum, a form of primary aluminum that boasts a carbon footprint nearly three times lower than the industry average. EcoLum production results in less than 4.0 metric tons of CO2e per ton of metal, significantly below the global average of 13.3 metric tons per ton of aluminum.
This agreement is not only a testament to the ongoing relationship between Nexans and Alcoa but also underscores Nexans’ commitment to sustainable electrification and the reduction of carbon emissions in its operations. The use of ELYSIS aluminum aligns with Alcoa’s strategic focus on research and development in low-carbon technologies, including other projects like the ASTRAEA metal purification process and the development of a Refinery of the Future.
Alcoa’s ELYSIS technology has seen application in various sectors, including the automotive industry with Audi’s electric sports car, the eTron GT, and in technology products by Apple, an investor in the ELYSIS technology. This partnership not only highlights Nexans’ role in promoting sustainable electrification but also exemplifies the metal and mining industry’s shift towards more environmentally responsible practices. 
