U.S. Aluminum Co. explores aluminum fabrication plant in Oklahoma

U.S. Aluminum Co. has signed an agreement with EGA and Century Aluminum, which plan to construct a primary aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, to explore developing an aluminum fabrication plant near the new smelter. The company is the first downstream firm to sign an agreement with the project developers.

EGA and Century’s project, named Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, is expected to double U.S. primary aluminum production and make Oklahoma a national center of aluminum-related manufacturing. Construction of the smelter is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with production beginning by the end of the decade. EGA and Century announced that they are co-developing the project in January, with EGA holding a 60 percent stake and Century holding 40 percent. The plant will use EGA’s latest state-of-the-art EX technology, the most advanced ever installed in the United States.

RELATED: EGA America exec talks about the company’s growth in the US

U.S. Aluminum Company’s goal is to build a plant near the smelter to turn liquid aluminum into products for the electrical, defense, aerospace, automotive and machinery industries, according to a news release issued by Century. The Plotkin family of Oklahoma City founded U.S. Aluminum Co. They also are the owners of aluminum fabrication company M-D Building Products, a national leader in the hardware industry stretching back more than a century.

“The development of America’s largest and most advanced primary aluminum production plant right here in Oklahoma is a transformative industrial opportunity for our state and country,” says Ryan Plotkin, president and CEO of U.S. Aluminum Co. “U.S. Aluminum Co. intends to leverage the availability of Oklahoma-made metal to be the cornerstone aluminum processing facility in Inola, creating additional jobs and making strategic products for the many downstream industries we expect will grow around the new smelter as well as customers throughout America.”

EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban says, “This project will help make Oklahoma—especially Inola—one of the top places in America to manufacture aluminum products while creating thousands of new jobs for Oklahomans. We’re proud to sign our first downstream exploratory agreement before the smelter is even built and even prouder that our first partner is an Oklahoma-based company. This is a strong signal that Oklahoma is ready to lead the future of aluminum manufacturing.”

“By establishing an aluminum hub in Oklahoma, we are strengthening and shortening the supply chain for a critical metal that supports American industries,” adds Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary. “Today’s announcement highlights the multiplier effect of revitalizing domestic production—attracting new infrastructure investment and creating jobs in adjacent industries.”