Reimagine
Materials
The Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials is a global research centre. We work with scientific innovators and industrial disrupters to deliver a step-change in our approach to extract, use and reuse materials.
Our purpose focuses on the fundamental question: how do we deliver the materials the world needs for the energy transition at pace and in a safe and responsible way?
about us
A partnership for transformative
change
Driven by a shared vision to unite scientific excellence with industry insight, our Centre was founded to enable collaboration across diverse and transdisciplinary teams.
At its core are one of the world’s leading mining and materials companies and a global top university: Rio Tinto and Imperial College London.
We are joined by partners at the University of British Columbia, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of the Witwatersrand and the Australian National University – spanning four continents.
strategic pillars
Our four pillars
Our strategic pillars guide everything we do. Radical research that shapes policy, fuels innovation and gives a voice to the next generation of leaders.
A powerful framework of system thinking to achieve lasting impact for science, industry and society.
Global thought leadership
Research
Innovation
Next generation leaders
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our partners
our YouTube
Watch us on YouTube
Subscribe for educational content, expert insights and global perspectives exploring how materials innovation is shaping a more sustainable future.
our research
Explore our research
At the heart of our work is a commitment to empower global stakeholders – policymakers, academic pioneers, and industry leaders – to shape a sustainable materials future. Through bold, transdisciplinary research, we deliver innovative solutions across the metals and mining value chain – supporting the energy transition with a focus on zero-carbon technologies and stronger ESG outcomes.
our team
Meet the team
Meet the world-class experts from six global partners driving our Centre. From governance to social science and technical innovation—discover the people reimagining the future of materials.
impact
Our impact
million US dollars invested into pioneering research to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
groundbreaking projects invested in so far to tackle global challenges faced by the mining industry and beyond.
leading researchers from top global institutions collaborating to drive innovation and influence policy.
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