Sustainability
Rio Tinto Metal Powders’ commitment to sustainable development
As part of Rio Tinto, we are finding better ways to bring you the metal powders you need for your business. This means through our projects, operations, and products we’re driving innovation and continuous improvement in the safest and most sustainable way possible.
In our process
In order to create our high-purity metal powders, we start with by smelting ilmenite ore. The traditional smelting process takes this ore, and uses coal and electricity to heat it to approximately 1,700° C.
A significant amount of energy is required in this process, which results in the generation of smelter gas.
At our Quebec Operations, around 80% of this gas is diverted and used for process heat in other plants within the complex. However, the remaining gas is emitted directly to the atmosphere. We have the opportunity to reduce emissions by reducing the amount of process heat smelting requires.
The BlueSmelting™ process being piloted at RTIT Quebec Operations is a world-first—developed in-house to reduce the coal required for the traditional smelting process. The goal is to use less coal and less electricity during smelting. This first stage of the BlueSmeltingTM pilot project could reduce emissions by approximately 30%.
Learn more about BlueSmelting™
In our community
With a strong belief that our growth is directly linked to the development of neighbouring communities, we maintain close ties with local residents and representatives in the Sorel-Tracy, Quebec region. We support initiatives that strengthen the vitality of our local communities, focus on regional development, and improve residents’ quality of life. We are also committed to long-term partnerships in health, education, culture, the environment, and community activities.
Learn more about our community involvement near RTIT
In our transparency
Rio Tinto metallic powder products are part of START—a platform that makes it easier to transparently share information across the value chain.
Built with traceable and verifiable technology, START shows you how your materials are made. The platform also centralizes your orders, making them easy to manage. START:
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Includes 14 key ESG criteria and production insights so you can assure stakeholders you’re sourcing responsible, sustainable materials
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Shows how and where materials are produced through Planet, People, and Progress pillars
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Compares your materials against industry averages or other product alternatives
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Provides a 6-month aggregate summary of your purchases across ESG criteria