Century Aluminum Company and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) entered into a joint development agreement to build the first new primary aluminum production plant in the U.S. since 1980 — revitalizing U.S. aluminum expertise and know-how. Previously, the two companies had each separately announced plans to build smelters in the U.S., including EGA’s planned greenfield smelter in Inola, Oklahoma. Both parties will now focus their greenfield development efforts exclusively on the Inola site.
“We have made great progress preparing for the start of construction in Inola, and welcome Century as a partner in this important project for the future of American industry and now both our companies,” said Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA. “EGA’s global skills, technology and capital are being joined by Century’s deep expertise and experience in the United States. Together, we will make a huge contribution to rebuilding American aluminum production for the 21st century.”
Under the joint development agreement, EGA will own 60% of the joint venture, with Century owning the remaining 40%. The partnership combines EGA’s world-class expertise in aluminum smelting design and technology, construction, and operation with Century’s extensive history and expertise operating aluminum smelters in the U.S., utilizing domestic supply chains.
The new Inola smelter will use EGA’s latest state-of-the-art EX technology, the most advanced ever installed in the U.S. Once complete, the plant is expected to produce 750,000 tonnes of aluminum per year, more than previously envisioned. This will more than double current U.S. production, making it the largest ever primary aluminum production plant in the U.S. In addition, the plant will be built at the industrial park at Tulsa Port of Inola, and will provide efficient bulk freight movement.
“Our partner EGA brings world-class smelting technology and construction expertise that are fast-tracking our collective efforts to realize President Trump’s vision of rapidly increasing domestic primary aluminum production,” said Jesse Gary, CEO of Century Aluminum. “Key industries, such as automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging and importantly, national defense, stand to benefit greatly from this expanded production of this critical metal, which will create thousands of new American manufacturing jobs.”
About 85% of the aluminum needs of American industries are currently met by imports. The new smelter will expand the domestic supply of this critical mineral and grow the American aluminum workforce by creating 1,000 permanent direct jobs at the facility and 4,000 jobs during construction. In addition, the Inola plant is expected to drive the development of a regional aluminum-focused industrial hub in Oklahoma, creating thousands of additional jobs and economic opportunities in the upstream supply chain and in new downstream aluminum manufacturing.
Construction of the project is expected to start by the end of 2026, with production beginning by the end of the decade. Detailed engineering work is already underway and negotiations with Public Service Company of Oklahoma and the state of Oklahoma on a competitive long-term power supply are progressing.
“This project represents one of the most transformational economic development opportunities in Oklahoma’s history,” said John Budd, CEO of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “With EGA’s global expertise and Century Aluminum, a U.S.-based industry leader, joining the project, this collaboration brings together the right experience, strength and long-term commitment to successfully move an investment of this scale forward. We are thrilled about the momentum behind this project and the role Oklahoma will play in strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting the onshoring of rare earth and critical mineral production.”