Top 10 low-carbon primary aluminum producers

As demand for verified low-carbon materials continues to grow — driven by procurement policies, investor pressure, and regulations like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) — aluminum producers are under increasing scrutiny for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

The market for low-carbon aluminium is already expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.97%, underscoring the commercial opportunity for producers that can demonstrate emissions leadership. While the sector remains energy intensive, some producers are already setting the benchmark for low-emissions performance by leveraging renewables, investing in next-generation smelting technologies, and shifting toward circular production models.

Below, we highlight ten of the world’s leading low-carbon primary aluminum producers, ranked by carbon intensity (tonneCO₂e per tonne of aluminum), and explore the assets and strategies behind their decarbonisation edge.

1. Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto leads the pack with some of the lowest-carbon primary aluminum globally, thanks to a well-established fleet of hydro-powered smelters. Its Arvida AP-60 and Alma assets in Québec leverage Canada’s clean energy grid to deliver ultra-low-emissions aluminum, while the ISAL smelter in Iceland also benefits from renewable hydroelectric power. Recent efforts across the portfolio include energy efficiency improvements and the ELYSIS joint venture, which aims to commercialise zero-carbon smelting by eliminating direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electrolysis process. 

2. Hydro Aluminium

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Hydro’s Karmøy pilot plant in Norway is widely recognised for setting a benchmark in low-carbon aluminum production, combining hydroelectric power with next-generation smelting technology to reduce energy use and emissions. The Sunndal and Høyanger smelters, also powered by Norwegian hydropower, contribute significantly to Hydro’s low-carbon credentials. The company continues to innovate through closed-loop recycling, increased use of certified renewable energy, and digital optimisation of energy flows across assets.

3. Alcoa

Alcoa’s low-carbon aluminum operations are anchored by its Canadian smelters — Deschambault, Baie-Comeau, and Bécancour (a joint venture with Rio Tinto). These assets use Quebec’s renewable hydroelectricity to produce some of the world’s lowest-carbon aluminum. At its Alumar site in Brazil, Alcoa recently restarted smelting operations using 100% renewable power, reinforcing its strategy to reduce Scope 2 emissions. The company is also a partner in ELYSIS, supporting breakthrough inert anode technology for zero-carbon electrolysis.

4. Aluminerie Alouette

Aluminerie Alouette’s smelter in Sept-Îles, Québec, is powered almost entirely by hydroelectricity from Hydro-Québec — a key factor in its exceptionally low carbon footprint. With a production capacity exceeding 550,000 tonnes annually, it remains the largest primary aluminum smelter in the Americas. According to a 2022 study, the facility’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions total just 1,835 kg CO₂e per tonne of aluminum — 75% below the global average and 25% below the Canadian average. The smelter has invested in AP40 potline technology and efficiency upgrades across its anode baking operations, contributing to consistent emissions reductions. While expansion plans are under evaluation, Alouette’s focus remains on scaling responsibly and maintaining its position as a top-tier low-carbon aluminum producer.

5. ALVANCE Aluminium

ALVANCE’s Lochaber smelter in the Scottish Highlands is uniquely positioned as the UK’s only aluminum smelter powered by on-site hydroelectricity. This clean energy source underpins the site’s low-carbon profile and supports the company’s broader GREENAL strategy, which aims to create a fully circular, sustainable aluminum offering. Alongside low-emissions primary production, ALVANCE is investing in downstream integration and recycling to reduce its environmental footprint, including plans for a new billet plant to expand value-added product capacity. The company’s focus remains on maximising the efficiency of its existing renewable assets and increasing the recycled content in its production processes.

6. Aluminij Mostar

Aluminij’s Mostar smelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina now operates on 100% certified renewable electricity, supported by Guarantees of Origin, making it one of the few aluminum producers in the region with a fully decarbonised electricity supply. The company is advancing its decarbonisation strategy with plans to build a 60 MW solar plant, expected to supply around 68 GWh annually once operational. Aluminij is also increasing its use of recycled inputs through its ULTIMATE series billets, which incorporate pre- and post-consumer scrap to significantly lower energy intensity. With a clear focus on aligning with the EU’s CBAM, Aluminij is positioning itself as a competitive, low-carbon exporter to the European market by leveraging renewable energy and circular production methods.

7. Century Aluminum

Century Aluminum’s Grundartangi smelter in Iceland operates on 100% renewable power sourced from hydroelectric and geothermal energy, enabling one of the lowest-carbon aluminum footprints globally. The site underpins the company’s Natur-Al™ product line, which delivers billets and foundry alloys with a carbon footprint of just 4 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of aluminum (Scope 1 and 2 combined). Certified by the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI), Natur-Al™ also includes a carbon-neutral product variant — Natur-Al™ ZERO — which uses verified offset projects for residual emissions. Recent investments, such as the 150,000-tonne billet casthouse expansion, are focused on supplying value-added, low-emissions products to premium European markets.

8. INALUM

Indonesia’s state-owned INALUM operates the Kuala Tanjung smelter, which is primarily hydro-powered via the Asahan River. While the company’s current emissions profile is already relatively low, INALUM has outlined plans to expand production capacity while maintaining carbon intensity by investing in additional hydropower and energy-efficient retrofits. Its focus on self-generated renewable electricity sets a strong foundation for future emissions control.

9. Alucam

Alucam’s Edea smelter in Cameroon draws on a hydroelectric dam for most of its energy needs, helping it maintain a lower carbon intensity compared to peers in sub-Saharan Africa. The company is reportedly exploring partnerships to upgrade smelting technologies and optimise energy use. As demand grows for certified low-carbon metal in the EU and beyond, Edea’s energy profile positions it to potentially access green premiums in future export markets.

10. Egyptalum

Egyptalum is pursuing a significant shift toward lower-carbon aluminum production at its Nag Hammadi facility through a planned 1 GW solar power project developed in partnership with Scatec ASA. The solar plant, to be delivered in two 500 MW phases, aims to reduce the smelter’s reliance on Egypt’s national grid and enhance its alignment with European market expectations under CBAM. Alongside this energy transition, Egyptalum is upgrading its existing production infrastructure — including electrical systems, anode baking furnaces, and other critical operations — to extend the smelter’s life by up to 30 years and raise output from 320,000 to 420,000 tonnes per year. With 50% of its exports destined for Europe, these initiatives are key to positioning Egyptalum for long-term competitiveness in low-carbon aluminum markets.

What sets these leaders apart

These producers demonstrate that low-carbon aluminum is no longer a niche offering but a sought-out commercial advantage. From hydro-powered smelting in Canada, Norway and Iceland, to solar investments in Egypt and circular product lines in Bosnia and the UK, each company on this list is using asset-level emissions reports to future-proof operations, satisfy buyer expectations, and unlock emerging green premiums.

As carbon accountability becomes a baseline requirement across global markets, producers who invest early in low-emissions assets and reporting capabilities will be best positioned to capture value in the low-carbon economy.

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