A New Era for American Aluminum: $4 Billion Smelter to Double U.S. Production
For the first time in nearly half a century, the United States is getting a brand new primary aluminum smelter, signaling a major shift in domestic manufacturing and a renewed focus on industrial self-reliance. This monumental project is the result of a joint development agreement between Chicago-based Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), and it comes with a staggering $4 billion price tag. The facility, which will be located at the Tulsa Port of Inola in Oklahoma, promises to reshape America’s supply chain for this vital metal.
The sheer scale of the investment is only matched by its projected output and local impact. Once operational, the Inola plant is expected to produce a massive 750,000 metric tons of aluminum annually. To put that in perspective, this single facility is slated to more than double the current total primary aluminum production capacity in the entire United States.
The significance of this announcement cannot be overstated. Since the last greenfield primary aluminum smelter opened in the U.S. back in 1980—the Sebree, Kentucky, plant, which Century now operates—the domestic industry has largely struggled against international cost competition and higher energy prices. Decades of decline have left American industries, from automotive to aerospace, reliant on imported aluminum, which currently accounts for about 85 percent of the country’s industrial needs. This new Oklahoma facility is a direct answer to that dependency.
The partnership is strategically structured to combine the best of both worlds. EGA, one of the world’s largest premium aluminum producers, will bring its cutting-edge “EX” smelting technology—the most advanced ever installed in the U.S.—to the table and hold a 60 percent stake in the venture. Century Aluminum will leverage its deep operational history within the domestic supply chain, owning the remaining 40 percent. This technological leap is key, as modern smelting platforms can significantly reduce energy consumption, a major competitive hurdle for older American facilities.
The economic ripple effects in Oklahoma are projected to be substantial. The project will create approximately 4,000 jobs during the construction phase, which is targeted to begin by the end of 2026. Following that, the facility will provide 1,000 permanent, high-wage manufacturing jobs, laying the groundwork for a regional aluminum-focused industrial hub. Its location at the Tulsa Port of Inola is also a key factor, offering efficient logistics via the inland waterway system.
This push for domestic production aligns perfectly with recent government efforts, which have designated aluminum as a critical mineral and introduced new policies, like a doubling of certain import tariffs, to create a more favorable environment for U.S. manufacturing. By enhancing the domestic supply of this essential material, the Inola smelter is set to boost economic resilience and national security for a wide range of American industries. Production is currently aimed to commence before the end of the decade, making the Oklahoma plain a new centerpiece of American industrial might.