Century Aluminum's Mt. Holly Expansion Boosts US Output 10%

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick visited Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly smelter Monday to celebrate a $50 million expansion that increases US primary aluminum production by roughly 10%. The plant’s workforce has grown to more than 600.

Century Aluminum (CENX) is the largest US primary aluminum producer, with three smelters in Kentucky and South Carolina. The Mt. Holly site now accounts for a larger share of the country’s roughly 1.5 million tonnes of annual primary output.

“This 10% increase in domestic aluminum production is just the beginning,” CEO Jesse Gary said. He credited the Trump administration’s Section 232 program, which imposes a 10% tariff on most aluminum imports with no country exemptions, for creating “the conditions necessary for long-term investment.”

Lutnick said the investment “further cements South Carolina as a leader in American manufacturing.” Senator Tim Scott called the expansion “a massive win for the Lowcountry.”

The expansion comes as US aluminum demand stays strong in automotive and construction. The domestic industry still imports about half of its aluminum needs. A 10% bump in domestic production narrows that gap.

Alcoa, another major US producer, has been modernizing its own smelters and restarting capacity in the Midwest. Combined output from the two largest producers still falls short of total US consumption.

Century did not announce additional capacity plans at Mt. Holly. The expansion is complete and operational.

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