Apple helps develop carbon-free aluminium

It says this significantly improves the sustainability of what is a key material in many of its most popular products

Apple has helped develop what it claims is the world’s first aluminum produced through a carbon-free smelting process.

The metal is a key material in many of Apple’s most popular products – producers Alcoa Corporation and Rio Tinto Aluminum have announced a joint venture to commercialise patented technology eliminating direct greenhouse gas emissions from its production.

Apple has now partnered with both companies, as well as the governments of Canada and Quebec, to collectively invest a total of $144 million (£106.2m) into future research and development.

The new production method releases oxygen rather than greenhouse gases during the smelting process as a result of replacing carbon with an advanced conductive material.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “Apple is committed to advancing technologies that are good for the planet and help protect it for generations to come.

“We are proud to be part of this ambitious new project and look forward to one day being able to use aluminum produced without direct greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing of our products.”

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