Hafnarfjörður

Our ISAL aluminium smelter in Hafnarfjörður in Iceland began operations in 1969, with a capacity of 33,000 tons. Today, it produces 202,000 tonnes of some of the highest quality aluminium billets with the lowest carbon footprint aluminium in the world. 100% of our electricity is generated from clean, renewable energy, supplied by the National power company Landsvirkjun.

Our operation

Despite being a small island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is the tenth largest aluminium producer in the world. The ISAL aluminium smelter in Iceland is operated by Rio Tinto Iceland Ltd as part of Rio Tinto Aluminium. 

ISAL started producing aluminium in 1969, marking the beginning of the industrialisation of the Icelandic economy. Since then, our ISAL operations have continued to strengthen our purpose to continuously find better ways to produce high-quality aluminium while being sensitive to environmental and societal needs. Aluminium production at ISAL is mainly centred around value added aluminium billets. 

These are produced in various alloys, sizes, and diameters, according to the specific needs of our customers. 

Almost 100% of the aluminium products enter the European market, where aluminium is considered a critical raw material in the construction industry, auto industry, renewable energy industry, production of solar cells, and much more. 

Since 2021, ISAL has partnered with Carbfix on a project to implement technology for capturing carbon and permanently storing it underground at the ISAL aluminium smelter in Iceland. The objective is for the site to become the first smelter in the aluminium industry to successfully capture and store carbon. 

Our ISAL operations are also seen as a pioneer in safety, management, and gender equality within Iceland, with a certified equal pay system, combined management system and an ongoing commitment to excellence. 

We are committed to continually finding ways to reduce our impact on the environment. One of the ways we do this is by focusing on reducing our emissions of carbon dioxide. Through ongoing efforts, education, improved maintenance and use of technology, since 1990 we have reduced such emissions by around 75% per ton of aluminium produced. 

Our community

Operating in harmony with our environment and community is a top priority at ISAL.  Our key community impact is through our partnership with local town sport association ÍBH and the municipality of Hafnarfjörður. We support children's sport and have implemented incentives of gender diversity and instructors' education in the agreement. Over 5000 children benefit annually from this agreement. 

We also sponsor the annual Icelandic Optimist Award. The award has a long history in Iceland – it was established in 1981 – and is awarded by the President of Iceland to an Icelandic artist who, through their art, has contributed to an optimistic outlook on life, inspiring others.

Responsible aluminium

In 2021, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) granted its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody certifications to our ISAL aluminium smelter. ASI certification means customers can be assured that the aluminium they purchase has been produced to the highest environmental, social and governance standards, ranging from greenhouse gas emissions to human rights. ISAL’s operation is compliant with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 international standards.