Century Aluminum to Restart Mt. Holly Plant, Boosting US Aluminum Production

Century Aluminum plans to restart 50,000 metric tons of idled production at its Mt. Holly, South Carolina smelter and invest $50M in the effort. This will boost U.S. domestic aluminum production by nearly 10% and restore full production by next June. The restart is expected to increase Century Aluminum's capacity to produce 134,000 metric tons of aluminum.

Century Aluminum (NASDAQ:CENX) has announced plans to restart over 50,000 metric tons of idled production at its Mt. Holly, South Carolina smelter, representing a significant increase in U.S. domestic aluminum production. The company aims to invest approximately $50 million in the initiative, which is expected to create over 100 new jobs with an average salary of $100,000. This restart will enable the plant, currently operating at 75% capacity, to achieve full production by June 30, 2026, a level not seen since 2015.

The restart is directly attributed to the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum imports, which were recently increased to 50%. This protective trade policy has created a more favorable price environment for domestic aluminum production, making previously uneconomical operations viable again. The project's implementation depends on finalizing agreements with Santee Cooper for power supply through 2031 and confirming economic incentives from local authorities.

At full capacity, the Mt. Holly smelter is expected to generate an annual economic impact of over $890 million in South Carolina, according to a study released by the University of South Carolina in 2024. The restart is a major win for domestic production amid protective trade policies and signals a meaningful reversal in the decades-long decline of U.S. primary aluminum capacity, which had fallen by over 75% since 2000 due to global competition.

Century Aluminum's decision to restart idled capacity at its Mt. Holly smelter represents a significant shift in the U.S. aluminum landscape. The company will invest $50 million to bring the facility to full production capacity for the first time since 2015, adding over 50,000 metric tons of domestic aluminum production—equivalent to almost 10% of current U.S. primary aluminum output.

The restart is expected to increase Century Aluminum's capacity to produce 134,000 metric tons of aluminum. The company's CEO, Jesse Gary, attributed the restart to President Trump's commitment to onshoring manufacturing of critical metals and protecting America's national security. The final details of the restart will be subject to a definitive agreement with Santee Cooper, Mt. Holly's power supplier, along with confirmation of economic incentives provided by Berkeley County and the state of South Carolina.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/CENX/citing-benefits-of-232-tariffs-century-aluminum-announces-restart-to-79i23dd7a4oz.html
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4481863-century-aluminum-to-restart-mt-holly-plant-restoring-full-production-by-next-june
[3] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/citing-benefits-232-tariffs-century-201000468.html