Aluminerie Alouette secures $28.5 million from Strategic Response Fund
- The Canadian government provided a $28.5 million contribution through the Strategic Response Fund, partially repayable.
- Alouette announced a $1.5 billion investment plan in 2025 for its Sept-Îles smelter.
- Two projects totaling $135 million—focused on carbon anode composition and bath-covering particle size—are supported by the SRF.
- The initiatives aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000 tonnes CO2e per year and are scheduled for completion in 2027.
Government support
Mélanie Joly, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, announced a $28.5 million contribution from the Strategic Response Fund to support modernization at Aluminerie Alouette. The funds are partially repayable and intended to help the company optimize operations amid trade and geopolitical uncertainty.
Investment and emissions targets
The Sept-Îles smelter, operating for nearly 35 years, announced a $1.5 billion investment plan in 2025. Current projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year while improving energy efficiency.
Projects supported by the SRF
Two SRF-supported projects, totaling $135 million, target key process inputs: adjustments to the composition of carbon anodes to improve productivity, emissions and energy efficiency—requiring equipment adaptations to produce and handle the blocks—and optimization of the particle size of the bath covering material used to retain heat in the pots. Long-term operational benefits are anticipated.
Timeline
These initiatives are scheduled for completion in 2027.
Source: Alouette