Rio Tinto and Aymium partner to trial renewable biocarbon product

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and Aymium have partnered to develop and trial a renewable biocarbon product for use as an alternative resource to reduce emissions in large scale industrial processes.

This product has been successfully trialled as a replacement for anthracite used in ilmenite smelting processes at Rio’s metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The complex is a world-leading producer of high-grade titanium dioxide feedstock plus iron and steel for specialised applications.

Rio Tinto minerals chief executive Sinead Kaufman says the company is delighted to work with Aymium.

“We are delighted to work with Aymium to develop and trial this renewable biocarbon product that has real potential as an alternative, low carbon resource for our processes,” she said.

“We are investing to deepen our partnerships, as part of our commitment to finding better ways to decarbonise our operations and the supply chains we are part of.”

To strengthen the partnership, Rio has made an additional equity investment in Aymium following its participation in a funding round in 2022. This second investment is part of Rio’s support for innovations needed to meet its 2030 emission reduction targets.

Aymium provides produces high value biocarbon and biohydrogen products and solutions that reduce that can be used to replace fossil fuels.

The products are produced using a combustion-free thermochemical process that separates the components of biomass into biocarbon, hydrogen and water. This process creates excess energy and water which is recycled back into the system.

Aymium chief executive James Mennell commented on the partnership.

“Our mission is to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and minimise our environmental impact,” he said.

“We are delighted about Rio Tinto’s follow-on investment as it will further advance our global mission to create bioproducts with enhanced performance and achieve ambitions emissions reduction targets.”