BusinessAugust 26, 2026

potroom

POT-room

Definition

The specific building or area within an aluminium smelter where the electrolysis cells, or 'pots', are located for the production of molten aluminium.

Etymology

The word is a compound of 'pot' (referring to the electrolytic cell used in aluminium smelting) and 'room' (a large workspace or hall). It emerged alongside the development of industrial aluminium smelting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the news

The expert distinguishes his knowledge of supply-chain raw materials from operational tasks conducted inside the factory floor, identifying the latter as 'potroom operations.'

Unlike carbon anodes, inert anodes rely on a single-source technology, risking shutdown if supply fails

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