Building & Construction
February 26, 2026
Century, EGA advance Oklahoma smelter with downstream partner
Written by Nicholas Bell
U.S. Aluminum Company, a new venture backed by the Oklahoma City-based Plotkin family, has signed an agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum to develop a fabrication plant near the planned aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma.
The smelter project, known as Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, is expected to begin construction by the end of 2026. First production is targeted before the end of the decade. EGA holds a 60% stake and Century 40%.
US Aluminum Company is the first downstream firm to sign an agreement linked to the project.
Fabrication plant
U.S. Aluminum Company said it plans to build a facility adjacent to the smelter that would convert molten aluminum into products for the electrical, defense, aerospace, automotive and machinery sectors.
The company was founded by the Plotkin family, owners of M-D Building Products, an aluminum fabrication business based in Oklahoma City.
Company executives said locating near the smelter would provide direct access to molten aluminum. This configuration could lower energy use compared with remelt-based production and support the development of additional manufacturing nearby.
Smelter timeline
EGA and Century said construction of the smelter could begin by the end of 2026. The facility would use EGA’s EX smelting technology, which the companies described as the most advanced system installed in the United Staes.
EGA’s EX technology represents the company’s 10th generation of aluminum smelting development. The company is piloting the system at Al Taweelah in the United Arab Emerates.
Plotkin family’s downstream operations
The Plotkin family, which founded U.S. Aluminum Company, also owns Oklahoma City-based M-D Building Products. M-D has been operating for more than a century.
In 2021, M-D Building Products acquired Cardinal Aluminum Co., a Louisville-based custom aluminum extrusion and fabrication company.
In addition, M-D operates a manufactured solutions business unit known as M-D MetalSource. The unit includes six national locations in Oklahoma City, Okla.; Middletown, Ohio; Hayti, Mo.; West Columbia, S.C.; Brooklet, Ga.; and Woodburn, Ore. Four of those facilities focus on metal operations. Two are plastic plants.
M-D MetalSource provides custom aluminum extrusion, finishing and fabrication services, including anodizing, powder coating, wet painting and precision fabrication. The business unit developed in part through M-D’s acquisition of Loxcreen Co.’s operations in the early 2010’s.
