Reducing aluminium emissions

A new technology has the potential to deliver significant global greenhouse benefits and dramatically reduce the aluminium industry’s environmental footprint.

The carbon capture system, which was developed by Alcoa’s global Technology Delivery Group based in Kwinana, has the potential to deliver significant global benefits by locking up CO2 in a greenhouse sink.

The residue carbonation process involves mixing bauxite residue with CO2.  This locks up large volumes of CO2 that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere.
 
When operating at full capacity, Alcoa's Kwinana carbonation plant will treat all of the residue produced by the plant. According to the company, this will lock up 70,000 tonnes of CO2 each year – equivalent to taking over 17,500 cars off the road.
 
As part of its on going commitment to reduce its global emissions, Alcoa plans to deploy the technology across its operations in Australia and worldwide.