Cupertino (dpa) – A process co-financed by Apple for the production of aluminum without the emission of climate-damaging carbon dioxide is being used on an industrial scale for the first time.
Apple initially wants to use the metal produced in this way in its recently updated, cheaper iPhone SE model, as the group announced. At the same time, Apple sees no obstacles to using the CO2-free aluminum across its model range. The cases of most Apple devices are made of aluminum.
In conventional processes, aluminum production is associated with high carbon dioxide emissions when electricity flows through a carbon anode. In the new process, a ceramic anode is used instead, so that no CO2 is generated during the aluminum production itself. Apple co-financed the years of development through its $4.7 billion green bond bonds. The aluminum is produced by Elysis, a joint venture between metal giants Alcoa and Rio Tinto. Production on an industrial scale was originally planned for 2024.
At the same time, Apple has been striving for years to use more and more recycled aluminum in its devices. However, the group has to comply with purity specifications for the longevity of the housing, so that the production of fresh aluminum remains necessary.