Century Aluminum is poised to break ground this year on its new aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, marking a significant milestone as the first new primary aluminum production facility built in the United States in nearly five decades. The project is a joint venture between Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a global aluminum producer based in the United Arab Emirates.
The new smelter, located near Tulsa at the Tulsa Port of Inola, is designed to produce approximately 750,000 metric tons of aluminum annually. This production capacity would nearly double current U.S. primary aluminum output, reflecting an important step toward strengthening domestic supply chains and increasing production capacity within the American industrial sector.
According to company statements and public filings, Century Aluminum will hold a 40% ownership stake in the project, with EGA owning the majority 60%. The facility’s construction is expected to generate roughly 4,000 construction jobs, supporting local contractors and laborers in the region. Upon completion, the smelter would provide around 1,000 permanent jobs, contributing to sustained economic activity and workforce development in northeastern Oklahoma.
The project benefits from a substantial financial boost, including an award of up to $500 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This support is directed toward developing a ‘green’ smelter, with plans to implement lower-emission technologies that align with emerging environmental standards in the manufacturing sector. Industry experts see this as part of a broader push toward more sustainable and energy-efficient production methods in heavy industry.
Construction timelines currently project breaking ground by the end of 2026, with full production anticipated by the decade’s close. The endeavor is notable not only for its industrial and economic scale but also for its role in revitalizing American primary aluminum capacity, which has not seen new facility construction since the 1980s.
Given aluminum’s critical role across several industries including aerospace, automotive manufacturing, infrastructure, and packaging this facility could enhance supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on imports. It contributes to policy efforts focused on rebuilding U.S. manufacturing strength and securing domestic production of strategic industrial materials.
Inola’s location near major transportation routes and access to the Tulsa Port supports logistical efficiency for raw material inputs and finished product distribution. The partnership between Century Aluminum and EGA exemplifies increasing collaboration between U.S. and global industry players to meet demand while pursuing technological advances in cleaner manufacturing.
While operational challenges remain in any large-scale industrial project, the Oklahoma smelter underscores evolving market dynamics and industrial priorities. It highlights how state, federal, and private investment can intersect to develop large infrastructure projects that hold potential to impact local communities and the broader U.S. industrial landscape.
