ELYSIS Named to TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 List

ELYSIS, featured in the Sustainability category, recognized for aluminium innovation

Montréal, October 15, 2026 – ELYSIS has been named to TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 List, highlighting the company's inert anode technology and its potential to support lower-carbon aluminium production. 

The distinction marks an important milestone for ELYSIS and serves as further validation of the company's progress since its founding. It reflects years of research, development and collaboration aimed at reimagining how aluminium is produced.

Founded in 2018 by Rio Tinto and Alcoa with the participation of Investissement Quebec, ELYSIS was created to further develop and commercialize an aluminium smelting process that eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions while producing oxygen as a by-product. By rethinking a process that has remained fundamentally unchanged for more than a century, the company is helping support a more sustainable future for the industry.

The selection by TIME builds on a series of significant milestones achieved by ELYSIS as it continues to progress toward commercial deployment. It also reflects the dedication, expertise and contributions of the employees and partners who have helped bring the company's vision closer to reality.

Published annually by TIME, the Best Inventions list highlights notable innovations across a wide range of sectors. ELYSIS was included in the Sustainability category for its efforts to develop and commercialize a new approach to aluminium production that eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the smelting process.

Quotes

“Being named to TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 list is an honour for ELYSIS and a meaningful recognition of the path we have been on since our founding. This distinction reflects years of dedication, expertise and perseverance from our employees, as well as the invaluable support of our shareholders and partners. Together, we have developed a solution with the potential to reshape aluminium production, and we remain focused on bringing that vision to life.”

—François Perras, President & Chief Executive Officer of ELYSIS

“ELYSIS is progressively redefining how aluminium is produced. This important recognition from TIME underscores the power of innovation and partnership to transform our industry and help our customers meet growing demand for lower-carbon aluminium.” 

—Jérôme Pécresse, Rio Tinto Aluminium & Lithium Chief Executive 

“Alcoa invented the aluminium smelting process – still in use today – in 1886.  Since then, Alcoa has continued to drive the technologies that move our industry forward. TIME’s recognition highlights the breakthrough innovation behind ELYSIS, and we are proud to be part of this great partnership.” 

—William F. Oplinger, Alcoa President and Chief Executive Officer