Oklahoma’s burgeoning aluminum hub gets boost with agreement between U.S. aluminum company and EGA, Century Aluminum

INOLA, OKLAHOMA, February. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Local firm U.S. Aluminum Company has signed an agreement with EGA and Century Aluminum, the companies behind the planned primary aluminum production plant in Inola, Oklahoma, to explore the development of an aluminum fabrication plant near the new smelter. Click here to download photos of leaders from the three companies commemorating the agreement.

The project, named Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, is expected to double U.S. primary aluminum production and make Oklahoma a national center of aluminum-related manufacturing. U.S. Aluminum Company is the first downstream firm to sign an agreement with the project developers.

U.S. Aluminum Company’s goal is to build a plant near the smelter to turn liquid aluminum into products for the electrical, defense, aerospace, automotive and machinery industries. U.S. Aluminum Company was founded by the Plotkin Family of Oklahoma City, owners of leading aluminum fabrication company M-D Building Products, which has been a national leader in the hardware industry stretching back more than a century.

Ryan Plotkin, President and CEO of U.S. Aluminum Company, said: “The development of America’s largest and most advanced primary aluminum production plant right here in Oklahoma is a transformative industrial opportunity for our state and country. U.S. Aluminum Company intends to leverage the availability of Oklahoma-made metal to be the cornerstone aluminum processing facility in Inola, creating additional jobs and making strategic products for the many downstream industries we expect will grow around the new smelter as well as customers throughout America”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “This project will help make Oklahoma – especially Inola – one of the top places in America to manufacture aluminum products, while creating thousands of new jobs for Oklahomans. We’re proud to sign our first downstream exploratory agreement before the smelter is even built, and even prouder that our first partner is an Oklahoma-based company. This is a strong signal that Oklahoma is ready to lead the future of aluminum manufacturing.”

Jesse Gary, Chief Executive Officer of Century Aluminum said: “By establishing an aluminum hub in Oklahoma, we are strengthening and shortening the supply chain for a critical metal that supports American industries. Today’s announcement highlights the multiplier effect of revitalizing domestic production—attracting new infrastructure investment and creating jobs in adjacent industries.”

Construction of Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with first primary aluminum production by the end of the decade. EGA and Century are developing the project in partnership, with EGA holding 60 percent and Century 40 percent. The plant will use EGA’s latest state-of-the-art EX technology, the most advanced ever installed in the United States.