This paper gives an overview of alternative methods and processes for aluminium production. The Hall-Héroult process for the electrolytic reduction of alumina was developed at the end of the 19th century and is still currently the only industrial process for the production of aluminium. Today this process is ranked among the most energy and CO2 intensive industrial processes. About 1 % of the globally produced electric energy is consumed by this process which produces 2.5 % of the World’s anthropogenetic greenhouse gases. Proposed alternative processes include: direct carbothermic reduction of alumina, carbothermic reduction under vacuum or inert gas conditions, indirect carbothermic reduction and kaolinite reduction. Every one of those processes shows distinct potential to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are certain problems that hinder their implementation in industry (low yield and very high carbon content in the product). By replacing Hall Heroult carbon anodes with inert anodes, wetted cathodes and multipolar cells costs of Hall Heroult process would decrease considerably and process would become more environmentally friendly.