For the first time in the world, an electrolyzer using inert anodes was fired and started up in the Russian Federation

In the Russian Federation, Rusal fired and launched an industrial electrolyzer using inert anodes. As the company's press service emphasized, this was the first time in the history of mankind and was "a new achievement on the way to scaling inert anode technology"

As Rusal's representatives explained, before, to avoid damage to inert anodes, the startup and firing of electrolyzers was carried out with coal anodes, which were gradually replaced by inert anodes. This resulted in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the initial phase of operation and increased the time required to stabilize the process with inert anodes.

When inert anodes are used in electrolysis, pure oxygen is released into the atmosphere instead of carbon dioxide, making the process environmentally friendly.

"We are approaching full-scale industrial adoption of inert anode, and this successful firing and start-up of an inert anode electrolyzer is another important milestone. Inert anode technology reduces the carbon footprint to zero and significantly improves the environmental friendliness of the entire aluminum production process," said Victor Mann, Rusal's Technical Director.

At the Non-Ferrous Metals and Minerals Forum held in September, Victor Mann said that Rusal plans to start industrial scale-up of inert anode technology in 2026.

"Another significant step has been taken towards sustainable production of the greenest aluminum and decarbonization of the industry. We will continue to implement this breakthrough technology, which will raise metallurgy standards to a new level," emphasized Alexander Gusev, Director of the Inert Anode Electrolyzer Project at Rusal's Engineering and Technology Center ("RUSAL ITC").

The technology of inert anodes was invented and in 2017 began its industrial testing by Rusal's engineering and technology center, which was established in 2002 on the initiative of the company's founder Oleg Deripaska.

Over the years, the RUSAL ITC Engineering and Technology Center has developed dozens of technologies for the production of aluminum, ligatures, anodes, aluminum products, and purification technologies, the company stressed. Inert anode technology was developed on Oleg Deripaska's instructions and became the main invention of the Russian aluminum industry.