Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is making a bold move into the U.S. industrial landscape with plans to build the country's first primary aluminium production facility since 1980. The UAE-based industrial giant expects to invest around $4 billion in the new plant, to be located in Oklahoma, in what will be its largest single project since its 2014 merger.
In an exclusive interview, Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, confirmed that the new plant is designed to help address the significant unmet demand for domestically produced aluminium in the United States. Currently, the U.S. imports about 85% of its aluminium needs, making it heavily reliant on foreign supply.
“Our Oklahoma project will nearly double current US production of primary aluminium,” said Bin Kalban.
This move comes amid the U.S. administration’s 25% import tariffs on aluminium, making local production more attractive. President Donald Trump has publicly supported the EGA project, calling it a key initiative in reviving America’s aluminium industry.
Strategic Expansion in the U.S. Market
EGA already has a foothold in the U.S. through its 2024 acquisition of Spectro Alloys, an aluminium recycling firm in Minnesota. That facility currently produces 110,000 tonnes of aluminium ingots annually and is being expanded to add 55,000 tonnes of billet capacity.
However, Bin Kalban noted that recycling operations rely on scrap, while primary aluminium production requires bauxite and alumina. To secure supply for the Oklahoma plant, EGA is expanding its upstream resources in Guinea, Australia, Cameroon, Ghana, and Brazil.
A Diversified Global Strategy
The U.S. is EGA’s largest single country market, accounting for about 20% of global sales, though its customer base spans over 50 countries. EGA is already the No. 1 supplier of premium aluminium to the U.S., delivering high-specification metal for industries including automotive, construction, and aerospace.
Investment Highlights
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The $4 billion Oklahoma plant is EGA’s biggest investment since its formation, surpassing earlier projects such as the Al Taweelah alumina refinery and the Guinea bauxite mine.
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EGA America Inc., the company’s U.S. distribution arm based in St. Louis, Missouri, will continue to serve North American clients.
Reviving U.S. Aluminium Manufacturing
U.S. aluminium production has dropped significantly over the past five decades. Today, less than 700,000 tonnes of primary aluminium is produced annually across a handful of plants. In contrast, EGA’s Jebel Ali facility in the UAE alone exceeds this output.
EGA’s Oklahoma project, when operational, aims to nearly double U.S. production, enhancing supply security and supporting domestic industries while aligning with America’s evolving trade and industrial strategies.
