Prysmian and Amazon Deploy Zero-Emission Aluminum Cables
Amazon's Ohio data center will use cables made with ELYSIS aluminum, marking the first known application of inert-anode smelting in digital infrastructure.
Key points
- Amazon will install ELYSIS aluminum cables in an Ohio data center, the first known use of inert-anode smelting in this sector.
- The ELYSIS process replaces carbon anodes with inert materials, releasing oxygen instead of greenhouse gases during aluminum production.
- Prysmian manufactures the cables in Missouri, while Wesco handles distribution, supported by Rio Tinto’s hydropower-based aluminum supply.
A major shift in electrical infrastructure is underway in Ohio, where Amazon plans to install power cables made from a new type of aluminum. This project marks the first known use of inert-anode smelted aluminum in a data center, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of the expanding digital economy.
Prysmian, in collaboration with Rio Tinto, is manufacturing these cables at its facility in Sedalia, Missouri. The initiative directly addresses the high energy demands of AI and cloud computing by replacing traditional carbon-intensive smelting processes with a cleaner alternative.
Smelting process releases oxygen instead of gas
Traditional aluminum production relies on carbon anodes, which release greenhouse gases during smelting. The ELYSIS technology used here replaces those anodes with proprietary inert materials. As a result, the process releases pure oxygen rather than carbon dioxide or perfluorocarbons, effectively eliminating direct emissions from the smelting stage.
According to reports from tedmag.com, this innovation allows for the creation of low-carbon building wire without sacrificing the material's ability to conduct power. The aluminum is produced in Quebec, Canada, using hydropower, further lowering the overall environmental impact of the raw material supply chain.
Supply chain partners enable early deployment
The project relies on a coordinated effort between manufacturers, distributors, and end users. Wesco is handling the distribution and delivery of the cables to the Ohio site, ensuring that the specialized material reaches the construction phase. This collaboration builds on a partnership announced earlier in 2026 to introduce this specific type of aluminum wire to the market.
Amazon views this as a practical step toward its sustainability goals, noting that lower-carbon materials are no longer just a future concept. By integrating these cables into its infrastructure, the company demonstrates that aggressive growth in data center capacity can proceed alongside significant reductions in embedded carbon.
Trade-offs in material innovation and cost
While the technology offers clear environmental benefits, it represents a departure from standard industry practices. The need for specialized distribution and manufacturing processes highlights the complexity of integrating new materials into existing infrastructure. For the industry, this sets a precedent for sustainability-driven innovation, though widespread adoption will depend on balancing these new methods with current operational standards.
