Amazon Taps Prysmian and Rio Tinto for Low-Carbon Data Center Cables

Italian cable maker Prysmian has partnered with Rio Tinto to supply low-carbon electrical cables for Amazon's data center in Ohio. The cables will use aluminum produced through ELYSIS inert-anode technology, which eliminates direct greenhouse-gas emissions and releases pure oxygen.

This collaboration is a significant development for Prysmian, as it marks the first known application of this technology in a data-center project. The partnership between Prysmian and Rio Tinto has been ongoing since 2023, with a five-year supply agreement for low-carbon aluminum produced using renewable hydropower from Rio Tinto's Canadian operations.

Amazon's involvement is notable, as it aligns with the company's goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040. The project also supports Prysmian's sustainability commitments, which include targeting Net Zero by 2035 and having 55% of revenue come from sustainability-linked solutions by 2028.

However, investors should exercise caution when interpreting the significance of this partnership. While the technology has shown promise in a real-world application, it is still early-stage and its scalability is uncertain. Additionally, Amazon's involvement does not necessarily indicate widespread adoption of this technology across its data centers.