Century Aluminum Commences Expanded Production at Mt. Holly Smelter

Century Aluminum expands U.S. aluminum production capacity with Mt. Holly plant expansion, signaling increased domestic output and job creation.

By Caleb Monroe CENX

Century Aluminum Commences Expanded Production at Mt. Holly Smelter

CENX

Century Aluminum Company has initiated production from its expanded Mt. Holly, South Carolina smelter, which is expected to increase U.S. primary aluminum production by 10% by June 2026. Coupled with a new joint venture to build a major aluminum smelter in Oklahoma in partnership with Emirates Global Aluminum, Century is significantly enlarging domestic aluminum capacity, creating substantial employment, and reinforcing the U.S. supply chain for this critical metal amid geopolitical and supply chain concerns.

Key Points

Mt. Holly plant expansion boosts U.S. primary aluminum production by 10%, creating over 125 jobs in South Carolina.
Partnership with Emirates Global Aluminum to build first new U.S. primary aluminum smelter in nearly 50 years, doubling U.S. capacity and generating over 1,000 direct jobs plus 4,000 construction jobs.
U.S. aluminum production growth supported by Section 232 tariff and supply chain resilience efforts, emphasizing economic and national security importance.
Sectors impacted: Basic materials, metals & mining, manufacturing, industrials, infrastructure, and national security-related sectors.

CHICAGO, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) announced today that production of the first hot metal has begun following the expansion project at its Mt. Holly, S.C. plant. This major expansion, which Century expects to reach full production by the end of June 2026, will increase total U.S. primary aluminum production by 10% and has already created over 125 good-paying jobs in South Carolina. The expansion project increases Century’s leading position as the largest producer of primary aluminum in the United States.

In addition to the Mt. Holly expansion project, Century announced in January that it would join forces with Emirates Global Aluminum to build the first primary aluminum smelter in the U.S. in nearly 50 years. The new Oklahoma-based smelter will create another 750,000 tonnes of primary aluminum production, doubling current U.S. capacity. It is expected to be the largest single investment in the production of a critical metal in U.S. history and will add over 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 construction jobs.

“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,” said Jesse Gary, President and CEO of Century Aluminum. “President’s Trump’s Section 232 aluminum tariff is driving record investment in American aluminum production. The case for domestic production is stronger than ever, with supply chain disruptions abroad again demonstrating the need for a resilient domestic supply of this critical metal that is essential to U.S. economic and national security.”

About Century Aluminum Company

With its corporate headquarters located in Chicago, IL, Century Aluminum owns and operates primary aluminum smelting facilities in the United States and Iceland and is the majority owner and managing partner of the Jamalco alumina refinery in Jamaica. Visit www.centuryaluminum.com for more information.

Investors: Chad Rigg, 312.696.3132, [email protected]
Media: Tawn Earnest, 614.698.6351, [email protected]

Risks

Execution risk in achieving full production targets at Mt. Holly by June 2026, and in completing new Oklahoma smelter project on schedule.
Potential changes in trade policy, tariffs, or geopolitical factors could affect competitiveness and cost structure.
Market demand fluctuations for primary aluminum influenced by global economic conditions and supply chain disruptions remain uncertain.

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Century Aluminum Commences Expanded Production at Mt. Holly Smelter

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