Century Aluminum Expands Production at South Carolina Smelter

Expansion project adds 10% to total U.S. aluminum production capacity.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A highly detailed, photorealistic studio photograph of a polished aluminum ingot resting on a clean, monochromatic background, conveying the strength and importance of domestic aluminum production.Century Aluminum's expansion of domestic aluminum production capacity aims to strengthen U.S. economic and national security.Chicago Today

Century Aluminum Company announced that production has begun at its expanded Mt. Holly, South Carolina aluminum smelting plant. The expansion project is expected to reach full production by the end of June 2026 and will increase total U.S. primary aluminum production by 10%. The company also announced plans to build a new primary aluminum smelter in Oklahoma in partnership with Emirates Global Aluminum, which will double current U.S. aluminum production capacity.

Why it matters

The expansion of domestic aluminum production capacity is seen as critical to strengthening U.S. economic and national security, reducing reliance on imports. The Section 232 aluminum tariffs implemented under the Trump administration have driven record investment in American aluminum production facilities.

The details

The Mt. Holly expansion project has already created over 125 new jobs in South Carolina. The planned Oklahoma smelter, a joint venture with Emirates Global Aluminum, will be the largest single investment in U.S. primary aluminum production and is expected to create over 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 construction jobs.

  • Production of the first hot metal has begun at the Mt. Holly plant.
  • The Mt. Holly expansion is expected to reach full production by the end of June 2026.
  • Century Aluminum announced the Oklahoma smelter project in January 2026.

The players

Century Aluminum Company

A major U.S. primary aluminum producer that owns and operates smelting facilities in the U.S. and Iceland, and is the majority owner and managing partner of the Jamalco alumina refinery in Jamaica.

Jesse Gary

President and CEO of Century Aluminum.

Emirates Global Aluminum

A joint venture between Mubadala Investment Company of the United Arab Emirates and Investment Corporation of Dubai, with which Century Aluminum is partnering to build a new primary aluminum smelter in Oklahoma.

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What they’re saying

“We're so proud to be doing our part to increase domestic production of this critical mineral and expand on our position as the largest producer of primary aluminum in the United States.”

— Jesse Gary, President and CEO, Century Aluminum

What’s next

The new Oklahoma-based smelter, a joint venture with Emirates Global Aluminum, is expected to be the largest single investment in U.S. primary aluminum production and will add over 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 construction jobs.

The takeaway

The expansion of domestic aluminum production capacity, driven by the Section 232 tariffs, is seen as crucial to strengthening U.S. economic and national security by reducing reliance on aluminum imports. Century Aluminum's investments in new smelting facilities demonstrate the company's commitment to being the leading producer of primary aluminum in the United States.