More Environmentally Friendly, Apple Uses Carbon-Free Aluminum For iPhone SE Production

Apple's product, the iPhone SE, is now more environmentally friendly. (photo; doc. apple)

JAKARTA - Apple Inc. announced on Thursday, March 24 that it will purchase the industry's first carbon-free aluminum for use in their low-cost product, the iPhone SE. This effort was made by the US mobile phone maker to reduce the carbon footprint of the metal that is widely used in the casing of the smartphone product.

Details about the size or cost of purchasing the carbon-free aluminum itself have not been disclosed. But this is a new step for the mobile phone industry to become more environmentally friendly products.

The iPhone maker has also taken steps to reduce the use of carbon-dense metals that emit greenhouse gases directly from the smelting process. The solid metal used to make cell phones has so far raised controversy among consumers, activists, and investors because of its environmental impact.

Previously, Apple first purchased small quantities of lab-made metal in 2019 from Montreal-based company Elysis. It is a joint venture between two of the world's largest aluminum suppliers - Alcoa Corp and Rio Tinto. They have also used metal in their 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Elysis initially planned to commercialize its technology, which uses ceramic anodes to make aluminum and only emits oxygen when recycled in 2024.