Prysmian Partnered With Rio Tinto for Low-Carbon Cables
The deal will supply Amazon with sustainable aluminum cables for a data center in Ohio.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Data Centers
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Prysmian has formed a partnership with Rio Tinto to provide low-carbon aluminum cables for an Amazon data center project in Ohio. The collaboration aims to incorporate sustainable materials into critical infrastructure development.
Why it matters
The partnership highlights a shift toward using low-carbon materials in large-scale technology projects. By integrating sustainable aluminum into data center construction, the companies are addressing the environmental footprint of digital infrastructure.
The cables utilize ELYSIS inert-anode technology, a smelting process that replaces traditional carbon-heavy methods. This technology releases oxygen as a byproduct instead of direct greenhouse gases.
The players
Prysmian
Prysmian is a global leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry.
Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a multinational mining and metals corporation that focuses on sustainable material extraction.
Amazon
Amazon is a global technology company that manages a vast network of data centers to support its cloud computing and e-commerce services.
The details
The collaboration leverages Rio Tinto's ELYSIS smelting process, which is designed to eliminate direct greenhouse gas emissions by replacing the standard anodes used in aluminum production. Amazon will integrate these specialized cables into its infrastructure located in Ohio to support its data center operations.
Timeline
Prysmian announced the partnership with Rio Tinto on September 18, 2026.
The Tech Race
This move marks a departure from legacy aluminum smelting practices that historically relied on carbon-intensive processes. It positions these firms at the forefront of a technological arms race to green the supply chain for power-hungry digital infrastructure.
This development could eventually lead to more sustainable cloud services as data centers lower their embodied carbon. For the end user, these efforts represent a long-term improvement in the environmental efficiency of the digital platforms they use daily.
The takeaway
Using low-carbon aluminum is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of physical infrastructure supporting the digital world. Companies are increasingly prioritizing sustainable materials to meet internal climate goals and address consumer demand for greener tech.
Further reading
For more information on the evolution of facility infrastructure, visit Data Centers.
Live Poll
Should major technology companies prioritize low-carbon materials when building new data center infrastructure?
