Century Aluminium is progressing with its planned 750,000-tonne-per-year Oklahoma smelter, while stronger second-quarter performance provides additional momentum for its US expansion strategy.
The Inola, Oklahoma, project, developed with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), remains targeted for a Final Investment Decision and groundbreaking by the end of 2026, with first hot metal expected by the end of 2029. Bechtel is continuing detailed engineering, while Century advances negotiations on the project’s energy contract and financing.
A major development is the US Section 232 tariff incentive, which Century expects will allow the project to import up to 750,000 metric tonnes of primary aluminium annually at a 25% tariff from 2027, compared with the standard 50% rate. Century’s 40% allocation could reach 300,000 tonnes annually, with the company planning to use the benefit to support financing for its share of the Oklahoma investment.
The expansion comes alongside improved operating results. Century reported Q2 2026 net sales of $752.1 million, up 16% sequentially, while aluminium shipments increased 6% to approximately 131,000 tonnes. Higher volumes were supported by the Mt. Holly expansion in South Carolina and the restart of Line 2 at Norðurál in Iceland. 
Adjusted EBITDA rose $95.5 million to $326.9 million, while adjusted net income reached $257.3 million.
At Jamalco in Jamaica, Century also commissioned its TG4 power-generation turbine, allowing the refinery to operate on entirely self-generated electricity and reducing dependence on grid power.
For Q3, Century forecasts Adjusted EBITDA of $325–345 million, while management expects a global aluminium deficit of around 1 million tonnes in 2026, with deficit conditions continuing into 2027.
Source: Century Aluminium with additional information added by Glass Balkan
