Rio Tinto, Aymium to establish biocarbon joint venture in Quebec

Rio Tinto and Aymium have formed a new joint venture named Evolys Quebec Inc. to manufacture a renewable metallurgical biocarbon product to reduce carbon emissions in large scale industrial processes. This biocarbon, sourced from biomass residues, offers an alternative for anthracite currently used in ilmenite smelting processes at Rio Tinto’s metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy. The joint venture will be established on the site of a former pulp and paper mill in Thurso, Quebec. The Government of Quebec selected Rio Tinto and Aymium to jointly revitalize these assets. The proposed facility will use Aymium’s proprietary technology to locally produce high-quality biocarbon. Rio Tinto has already observed promising results with this technology through the use of materials produced by Aymium at its metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy. Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium and Diamonds Managing Director Sophie Bergeron said: “Decarbonization is at the core of Rio Tinto’s strategy, and the Evolys joint venture provides us with a unique opportunity to produce local biocarbon, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of our Quebec operations.” Further details of the project, including a timeline for the start of production, will be communicated as soon as the transition process is completed, the companies said.