Emirates Global, Century Aluminum to build first US smelter in 50 years   

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum (NASDAQ: CENX) announced Tuesday that have agreed to build the first new primary aluminum production plant in the United States since 1980. 

The project, named Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, is expected to double U.S. primary aluminum production and make Oklahoma a national center of aluminum-related manufacturing. EGA will own 60% of the joint venture, with Century owning the rest.  

The new plant, to be built in Inola, should produce 750,000 tonnes of aluminum per year, larger than previously envisioned. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with first primary aluminum production by the end of the decade. The new facility will create 1,000 permanent direct jobs and 4,000 jobs during construction, Century Aluminum said.  

“By establishing an aluminum hub in Oklahoma, we are strengthening and shortening the supply chain for a critical metal that supports American industries,” Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary said in a news release. “Today’s announcement highlights the multiplier effect of revitalizing domestic production — attracting new infrastructure investment and creating jobs in adjacent industries.” 

Fabrication plant

The U.S. Aluminum Company said in a separate statement that it has signed an agreement with EGA and Century Aluminum to explore the development of an aluminum fabrication plant near the new smelter. U.S. Aluminum was founded by the Plotkin family, whose members own the aluminum fabrication company M-D Building Products.

The goal of the partnership is to build a plant near the smelter to turn liquid aluminum into products for the electrical, defense, aerospace, automotive and machinery industries, U.S. Aluminum said.

“This project will help make Oklahoma – especially Inola – one of the top places in America to manufacture aluminum products, while creating thousands of new jobs for Oklahomans,”  EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said. “We’re proud to sign our first downstream exploratory agreement before the smelter is even built.”