A historic investment aims to revive U.S. aluminum production with a massive new plant in Oklahoma.
Inola, Oklahoma, United States, 27 January 2026 – Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum Co. have signed a joint development agreement to build a new primary aluminum production plant in Inola, Oklahoma. This project marks a major milestone for the U.S. metals industry, as it will be the first new greenfield primary aluminum smelter built in the United States since 1980.
Under the agreement, EGA will hold a 60 percent stake in the joint venture, while Century Aluminum will own the remaining 40 percent. Both companies have agreed to focus all of their greenfield aluminum development efforts in the United States on this Oklahoma site.
The planned facility is expected to produce around 750,000 metric tons of aluminum each year. This is significantly larger than earlier plans and would more than double current U.S. primary aluminum production. Once operational, the Inola plant is set to become the largest primary aluminum production facility ever built in the country.
EGA has already been expanding its footprint in the United States. Earlier this decade, the company acquired an 80 percent stake in aluminum recycling firm Spectro Alloys in Rosemount, Minnesota, which has since increased its production capacity. The Oklahoma project builds on that momentum, strengthening EGA’s long-term presence in the North American aluminum market.
The new smelter is expected to create around 1,000 permanent jobs once operational and support about 4,000 jobs during the construction phase. Beyond direct employment, the project is also expected to generate thousands of additional opportunities across the supply chain and in downstream aluminum manufacturing.
According to the companies, the partnership brings together EGA’s advanced aluminum smelting technology, plant design, and global operational experience with Century Aluminum’s long history of running aluminum smelters in the United States using domestic supply networks. This combination is expected to help deliver a modern, efficient, and competitive facility.
At present, roughly 85 percent of the aluminum used by American industries is imported. The Inola smelter aims to reduce this dependence by expanding the domestic aluminum supply. Industries such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, construction, packaging, and renewable energy are expected to benefit from greater access to U.S.-made primary aluminum.
Construction of the plant is planned to begin by the end of 2026, with aluminum production targeted to start before the end of the decade. Engineering work is already underway, and discussions are ongoing with Public Service Co. of Oklahoma and state authorities to secure a long-term, competitive power supply, which is critical for aluminum production.
The plant will be located at the Tulsa Port of Inola industrial park, part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. This location offers direct access to inland waterways connected to the Mississippi River system, allowing for efficient movement of raw materials and finished aluminum products.
The Oklahoma project also fits into Century Aluminum’s broader efforts to expand domestic production. The company has recently invested in restarting idled capacity at its Mt. Holly smelter in South Carolina and continues to explore additional growth opportunities across the country.
With its scale, location, and long-term vision, the Inola aluminum smelter is expected to play a key role in rebuilding U.S. aluminum manufacturing capacity and developing a strong regional aluminum hub in the central United States.
