Global Trade
April 20, 2026
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Production of the first hot metal has begun at Century Aluminum’s expansion project at Mt. Holly in South Carolina.
This project, which the Chicago-based producer expects to reach full production by the end of June, aims to increase total US primary aluminum production by 10%. The expansion has created more than 125 jobs, the company said.
EGA has restarted 631 of Al Taweelah’s 1,262 reduction cells and still expects the smelter to return to full production in Q1 2027.
Recycler forward views shifted toward undersupply in October even as Midwest Premium and UBC expectations moved lower.
Aluminum sheet lead times rose modestly in October, while broader supply indicators remained largely stable after September’s shift.
Alcoa expects two other unnamed sites to follow the Massena East sale.
A Luxembourg court withdrew an order blocking a potential sale of Ardagh Metal Packaging, allowing Ardagh Holdings to resume preparations.
