Century Aluminum EGA Aluminum Smelter Project Advances U.S. Primary Production

Century Aluminum EGA Aluminum Smelter Sets New U.S. Benchmark

Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminium have launched a joint development agreement for a major U.S. smelter.
The Century Aluminum EGA aluminum smelter will rise in Inola, Oklahoma, marking a historic industry milestone.
Notably, this project represents the first greenfield primary aluminum smelter in the United States since 1980.

EGA will hold a 60 percent stake in the venture, while Century Aluminum will own 40 percent.
Meanwhile, both companies committed their exclusive U.S. greenfield development efforts to the Oklahoma site.
As a result, the partnership signals long-term confidence in domestic aluminum production and supply chains.

The facility will produce 750,000 metric tons of aluminum annually, exceeding earlier projections.
Therefore, the Century Aluminum EGA aluminum smelter will more than double current U.S. primary aluminum output.
Industry analysts expect the plant to reshape North American aluminum pricing dynamics over the next decade.

Economic and Supply Chain Impact of the Century Aluminum EGA Aluminum Smelter

The Inola smelter will create 1,000 permanent jobs and 4,000 construction jobs.
Additionally, the project will support upstream suppliers and downstream aluminum manufacturers across Oklahoma.
Consequently, the region could emerge as a new aluminum-focused industrial hub.

About 85 percent of U.S. aluminum demand currently relies on imports.
However, the Century Aluminum EGA aluminum smelter will expand domestic supply of this critical material.
This shift will benefit automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, and defense industries.

Century Aluminum continues broader capacity investments across the United States.
For example, the company restarted idled capacity at its Mt. Holly smelter in South Carolina.
It also secured long-term power agreements and pursued Department of Energy funding for new smelting projects.

Logistics, Energy, and Strategic Location

The smelter will sit at the Tulsa Port of Inola on the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System.
This location connects directly to the Mississippi River system for efficient bulk transport.
Meanwhile, negotiations continue with Public Service Co. of Oklahoma for long-term power supply.

Construction should begin by late 2026, with production starting before decade’s end.
Detailed engineering work already progresses, keeping the project on schedule.
Therefore, the site aligns logistics, energy access, and industrial scalability.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The Century Aluminum EGA aluminum smelter reflects a strategic pivot toward supply security and industrial resilience.
Rising geopolitical risk and energy transition demand favor domestic aluminum investments.
As a result, this project could anchor U.S. aluminum pricing stability and attract further battery and EV materials investment.