ELYSIS Appoints François Perras as New CEO to Lead Next Phase of Aluminium Innovation
ELYSIS has named François Perras as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Perras succeeds Vincent Christ, who is retiring after six years at the helm of ELYSIS and a distinguished 35-year career in the aluminium industry.
The company, a joint venture between industry giants Alcoa and Rio Tinto, expressed gratitude for Christ’s leadership since ELYSIS was founded in 2018. Under his guidance, the company achieved significant milestones, including granting its first technology license to Rio Tinto in 2024 for a demonstration plant at the Arvida smelter in Québec, Canada.
Perras brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the metallurgical industry, with roles at ArcelorMittal, Tergeo Critical Minerals, and Electra. His innovative vision and extensive industry expertise position him to guide ELYSIS through the critical upscaling of its groundbreaking aluminium production technology. This includes the planned commissioning of a 450 kA industrial prototype cell at Rio Tinto's Alma smelter in mid-2025.
As ELYSIS continues to develop and commercialize its zero-carbon aluminium smelting technology, Perras is focused on driving innovation and accelerating the company’s market readiness. He plans to engage with teams across ELYSIS sites to understand challenges and identify growth opportunities.
