According to Apple’s press release, several years ago Apple engineers Brian Lynch, Jim Yurko and Katie Sassaman set out to find a greener way to produce aluminum and found that Alcoa Corporation had the means to do so. However while the company might have discovered a greener way, they needed a partner to make it commercially viable, which is where Apple’s business development team David Tom, Maziar Brumand and Sean Camacho brought Rio Tinto to the table.
Now all three companies are expected to work together to help develop the technology to the point where it is possible to mass produce aluminum in a greener fashion. Unfortunately progress does take time and Apple only expects a full-scale commercial operation to begin in 2024.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook said, “Apple is committed to advancing technologies that are good for the planet and help protect it for generations to come. We are proud to be part of this ambitious new project, and look forward to one day being able to use aluminum produced without direct greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing of our products.”