The Push Toward Green Aluminum: Rusal’s Inert Anode Breakthrough and ESG Strategy

The sustainable development agenda continues shaping the business models of Russia’s largest companies. Even amid significant economic challenges, the focus on environmental responsibility remains a key growth vector for metallurgists. New advanced technologies are redefining the industry and substantially reducing the environmental footprint of production throughout the supply chain.

The Russian aluminum giant Rusal approved its strategy for sustainable business development through 2035. The document underscores that responsible environmental stewardship and a steady reduction of the company’s environmental footprint are essential prerequisites for long-term operation.

Recent announcements from Rusal highlight ongoing, systematic work in this area. The company disclosed that it has begun using Allow Inerta, the world’s lowest-carbon primary aluminum, in the production of Sayana foil. The initial 20 tons of Allow Inerta aluminum were dispatched from the Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Smelter’s pilot industrial zone to the Sayanal foil rolling plant for further foil manufacturing.

Rusal has emerged as the first company globally to employ inert anodes instead of carbon anodes in industrial aluminum production. This marks a pivotal moment toward a carbon-free future. The rapid development and deployment of green technologies point toward a future that may arrive sooner than even the boldest forecasts.

competitive advantage

The global industry is steadily moving toward carbon neutrality. Aluminum producers worldwide are working to reduce their carbon footprints, addressing not only carbon monoxide but greenhouse gases in general. Internationally, the sustainable development agenda stands as a major trend in metallurgy; business relationships with partners and customers can hinge on a company’s success in this area.

Alexey Kalachev, an analyst with the financial group Finam, notes that a lower carbon footprint becomes a tangible competitive edge as consumers increasingly demand purity not just of the primary metal but of the final product as well.

Research from McKinsey and NielsenIQ shows ESG-labeled product sales have grown by a combined 28 percent over the last five years, while sales of non-labeled products rose by only 20 percent.

Breakthrough for the industry

Rusal sees potential in the continued, systematic development of green technologies to advance its ESG transformation goals despite the economic volatility and market stress.

The company also regards the spread of materials with minimal environmental impact among end consumers as a crucial area of focus.

Industry experts believe Rusal’s latest developments represent a serious target for success, especially the shift to inert anodes, which stands as a genuine breakthrough for the sector.

As explained by Alexey Kalachev, aluminum production relies on energy-intensive electrolysis. The first step is a transition from electricity sourced from coal to energy from renewables. Rusal has already enjoyed an advantage by using hydroelectric power, which keeps its footprint comparatively low.

Rusal’s approach contrasts with other major producers, such as those in China, which have moved toward similar paths but still retain a substantial coal-based share.

Kalachev notes that Sayanal’s products previously had a low footprint because the plant uses primary metal from the Sayanogorsk aluminum smelter, powered by Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric energy. He adds that Rusal has progressed further than many competitors in developing inert-anode technology for commercial use, marking a global breakthrough in reducing emissions in green aluminum production.

original technologies

Rusal reports that its inert-anode development is unique. Greenhouse gas emissions from the electrolysis process stand at about 0.01 tonnes CO2e per tonne of aluminum, versus the industry average of 12.5 tonnes CO2e. This makes emissions nearly negligible in practical terms.

Kalachev explains that inert anodes burn less, release oxygen rather than carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases, and thus providing a double environmental benefit. Aluminum produced with inert anodes gives products a competitive edge in markets with strict environmental requirements.

Rusal has spent years developing and testing inert-anode technology and is now the first company to implement it on an industrial scale.

Kalachev also remarks that several manufacturers and research institutes are pursuing inert anodes for industrial application. For example, American Alcoa has pursued the issue independently and with partners, while Norwegian Hydro is exploring similar directions. Yet, according to him, few others have achieved industrial-scale deployment comparable to Rusal.