Turning Challenge into Opportunity 2025

Technology Technology description Technology readiness level (TRL)TRL rationale Use cases Use case source(s) Mechanical vapour recompression during alumina refiningWastewater vapour is captured at relatively low pressures and is recompressed through a series of fans and compressors, to bring it up to the temperature and pressure required.7 Deloitte analysis First of its kind demonstration facility for alumina; large-scale deployment at food grade temperatures.The Alcoa mechanical vapour recompression (MVR) for low carbon alumina refining project seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating MVR, powered by renewable energy, to electrify steam production in the alumina refining process thus displacing fossil- fuelled boiler steam. Upon success, the plan is to install a 4 MW MVR module integrated into the evaporation circuit at Wagerup, powered by renewable energy.Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), 2022. mechanical vapour recompression for low-carbon alumina refining Multi-polar cells during smeltingMulti-polar cells are an advanced technology used in aluminium smelting. In traditional aluminium smelting, a single anode is used to produce aluminium from aluminium oxide, which requires a large amount of energy and releases significant amounts of CO2. Multi- polar cell technology uses multiple electrodes, which reduces the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the process. This technology operates at a higher current density and reduces the cell voltage, making the process more efficient with fewer emissions.5 IEA, 2025. ETP Clean Energy Technology GuideIt is a relatively niche/future-oriented cell architecture.INCARBZERO, 2023. Primary smelting with multipolar cell: clean energy technologies Turning Challenge into Opportunity: Supplier Voices from Heavy-Emitting Sectors 52