Century Aluminum Boosts U.S. Primary Aluminum Supply via South Carolina Expansion

Century Aluminum (CENX) announced the successful start of production at its expanded smelter in Mt. Holly, South Carolina. The company confirmed the production of the first hot metal, marking a critical milestone in its strategic growth initiative to scale domestic operations. The expansion is designed to significantly increase the company's operational footprint. By scaling capacity at the South Carolina site, Century Aluminum aims to better serve domestic demand and enhance the overall supply chain for primary aluminum within the United States. According to company data, the expansion project is poised to lift total U.S. primary aluminum output by roughly 10%. This represents a substantial increase in domestic production capabilities, reducing the relative reliance on imported primary metals. From a market perspective, the move strengthens CENX's competitive positioning and operational scale. While the increase in supply may have a negligible effect on global aluminum benchmarks, it provides a strategic advantage for the company's domestic revenue growth and strengthens the U.S. industrial base.