Who are the partners in the new U.S. aluminum smelter project?

Emirates Global Aluminium (60% stake) and Century Aluminum Company (40% stake).

Where will the smelter be located and what is its annual capacity?

Tulsa Port of Inola, Oklahoma; 750,000 tonnes of aluminum per year.

How many jobs will the project create?

1,000 permanent jobs and 4,000 construction jobs.

EGA and Century Plan First New U.S. Aluminum Smelter in Five Decades

Aluminum | 2026-01-27 06:58:49

Once completed, it will become the largest primary aluminum plant in the country.

By Paul Ploumis

Summary

Historic Project: The new Inola, Oklahoma smelter is the first primary aluminum facility in the U.S. since 1980, with EGA holding 60% and Century Aluminum 40%.
Production & Jobs: The plant will produce 750,000 tonnes annually, generating 1,000 permanent jobs and 4,000 construction jobs.
Advanced Technology & Logistics: Utilizing EGA’s EX smelting technology and Century’s domestic expertise, the facility will benefit from efficient inland waterway logistics and support U.S. aluminum self-sufficiency.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum Company have signed a joint development agreement to build the first new primary aluminum smelter in the United States since 1980, marking a major milestone for the domestic metals industry. Under the agreement, EGA will hold a 60% stake, while Century Aluminum will own 40% of the joint venture.

The new facility, planned for Inola, Oklahoma, is expected to produce 750,000 tonnes of aluminum annually, more than doubling current U.S. output. The project will create 1,000 permanent jobs and generate 4,000 construction jobs, supporting regional economic growth. Once completed, it will become the largest primary aluminum plant in the country.

The smelter will utilize EGA’s advanced EX smelting technology, the most sophisticated ever deployed in the U.S., combined with Century’s extensive operational expertise and domestic supply chain network. Construction is targeted to begin by the end of 2026, with commercial production expected before the end of the decade.

Located at the Tulsa Port of Inola, the plant will benefit from efficient logistics via inland waterways. The project aims to strengthen U.S. aluminum self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imports, and stimulate a broader regional industrial ecosystem.

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