Alcoa has been working on a new process to produce aluminum without generating carbon dioxide. Apple, being one of the largest users of aluminum, desired to find a more environmentally friendly approach to making the material, so they facilitated a joint venture, called Elysis, between Alcoa and Rio Tinto.

The new process will use a different type of inert anode that will give off oxygen instead of carbon dioxide in the smelting process. Apple’s participation as well as financial input from Canada will provide the needed capital for further developing this technology.