Emirates Global Aluminium joins Century to double US aluminium output

ABU DHABI – Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE’s largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has signed a landmark agreement with US-based Century Aluminium to construct the first primary aluminium production facility in the United States in almost half a century.

Under the deal, EGA will hold a 60 percent stake in the joint venture, with Century Aluminium owning the remaining 40 percent. While financial details have not been fully disclosed, EGA previously estimated the investment at approximately $4 billion for the facility, which will be located in Inola, Oklahoma.

The project marks a major upgrade from initial plans, with annual production capacity now set at 750,000 tonnes, up from 600,000 tonnes. This output is expected to more than double the current US aluminium production, significantly reducing reliance on imports that currently account for around 85 percent of domestic demand.

Construction is slated to begin by the end of 2026, with commercial production expected by 2030. The project will generate around 4,000 jobs during construction and 1,000 permanent positions once operational.

The initiative comes at a critical time for the United States, where the administration of President Donald Trump has sought to reduce foreign dependence on strategic metals, including aluminium, which is crucial for automotive, aerospace, defence, electricity and construction sectors. EGA’s new plant is expected to act as a “safety valve” for domestic supply, ensuring greater industrial self-reliance.

The US’s protective tariffs and import duties, which reached up to 50 percent, have raised the so-called “Midwest Premium” to record levels of 99 cents per pound, making domestic production competitive for the first time in years. These economic incentives, combined with high demand, prompted global aluminium leaders such as EGA to shift production to the US market to avoid additional costs.

Beyond capital investment, the project represents a transfer of technological expertise. EGA is globally recognised for its energy-efficient production methods and state-of-the-art smelting technology, which will make the Inola plant one of the most sustainable and efficient aluminium facilities worldwide.

The facility will be built at the industrial park adjacent to Tulsa Port, benefiting from the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which provides direct access to the Mississippi River for efficient bulk freight movement. EGA is already conducting detailed engineering work and negotiating long-term power agreements to ensure a competitive and reliable supply for the plant.

Chief Executive of Century Aluminium Jesse Gary emphasised the broader economic impact, “Key industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging and national defence will benefit from expanded production of this critical metal, while thousands of new American manufacturing jobs will be created.”

This venture follows EGA’s recent international expansion, including its 2024 acquisition of an 80 percent stake in US firm Spectro Alloys, enhancing its position in the American aluminium recycling market, and its acquisition of Germany’s Leichtmetall Aluminium, broadening its European recycling footprint.

“We have made great progress preparing for construction in Inola and are pleased to welcome Century as a partner in this important project for the future of American industry. Together, we will make a substantial contribution to rebuilding US aluminium production for the 21st century,” EGA’s CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said.

The joint venture is widely seen as a strategic move to strengthen US industrial independence, support local job creation, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global leader in advanced aluminium production.