Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is at the forefront of a national movement, initiated and supported by President Trump, to bring manufacturing back to the United States. As the first new aluminum production facility built in the U.S. in more than four decades, it represents a significant step toward strengthening supply chains, including providing metal critically important to national defense and many basic industries, doubling domestic aluminum output, reducing reliance on imports and creating a manufacturing hub that will result in high-quality jobs locally and throughout the region.

Primary aluminum is brand new metal made directly from raw materials and is used to manufacture cars, agriculture products, airplanes, electronics, packaging, construction materials and more. Aluminum can be recycled endlessly, so metal made by Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will be used and then reused by Americans in many forms for generations to come.

Roughly 80 percent of all aluminum used in the U.S. is imported, and this project will strengthen American manufacturing by securing a reliable domestic supply. Aluminum made in Oklahoma will support critical American industries including aerospace, automotive, construction, energy and national defense.

Tulsa Port of Inola was selected as the ideal location for long-term success based on its infrastructure, Oklahoma’s abundant energy, the state’s skilled workforce, river access and the state’s goal of transformative industrial projects as foundations of future economic growth.

The facility will be located within the industrial park at the Port of Inola, a site specifically designated and prepared for industrial use. It has been certified for industrial development since 2014 and was officially zoned heavy industrial by the Town of Inola in 2017. No zoning changes are required to allow for industrial development of the site.

We are conducting environmental surveys and studies as part of the permitting process and expect to begin early site prep by the end of 2026.

• 2026: Planning and regulatory permitting processes are initiated.
• End of 2026: Final approvals and permits are secured and site work begins.
• 2027–2029: Construction period, including sourcing jobs and local opportunities, with 4,000 construction workers employed.
• By the end of the decade: Facility opens with the initial hiring of 1,000 employees.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) owns 60% of the joint venture, and Chicago-based Century Aluminum owns the remaining 40%. Century is a publicly-held American company whose shares trade on Nasdaq.

While EGA is headquartered in the UAE, it has maintained a significant presence in the United States for nearly 30 years. Today, EGA employs more than 200 people in the U.S., including employees at EGA America in St. Louis and EGA Spectro Alloys, an aluminum recycling company in Minnesota.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will be an American facility, built in Oklahoma, operated by American workers, and serving American manufacturers. Our goal is to create more than 1,000 high-quality jobs and 9,000 indirect jobs while building the cleanest aluminum production facility in the United States. We are committed to being a strong long-term partner to the Inola community and to operating responsibly and transparently.

The Tulsa Port of Inola owns the industrial park where the facility is planned. Once constructed, the plant and land will be owned by Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, a US company owned jointly by Emirates Global Aluminium and Century Aluminum.

Yes. Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will be based in Oklahoma and fully subject to all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, just like any domestic company operating here.

Click here to read a fact sheet that responds to misconceptions about Oklahoma Primary Aluminum. Click here to read our statement in response to the legal action.

We will continue updating the Answers Center as new information and project updates become available. Community members can also follow project updates on Facebook at facebook.com/OklahomaPrimaryAluminum or contact the project team directly at contact@oklahomaprimaryaluminum.com.

• 1,000 direct, high-quality jobs at the facility, offering competitive wages and skills training that support long-term economic opportunity for local workers and families.
• 2,000 indirect jobs in areas such as materials, transportation, maintenance, professional services and other support needed to operate the facility.
• 4,000 construction jobs during the construction phase.

Most of the construction jobs will be with contractors and subcontractors, creating opportunities for local workers and businesses. We will encourage contractors to hire locally whenever possible.

Hiring for plant operation roles will begin near the initiation of production. While recruitment has not yet begun, job openings will be posted in the careers section of our website. We will prioritize hiring local people and look forward to connecting with qualified applicants from the community when opportunities become available.

An industrial plant like this, and the prosperity it brings, will create many other related economic opportunities and jobs in the community.

Century Aluminum created strong partnerships with the communities surrounding its locations, in the U.S. and abroad. We launched CenturyCares in Mt. Holly, S.C. to give back to programs that support education, families and the environment. In Sebree, Kentucky, neighbors farm on our property adjacent to the smelter, growing hundreds of acres of soybean and corn. Below are some of the ways our efforts have been recognized.

• Kentucky Division of Water Area Wide Optimization Program Award (2025)
• United Way of Henderson County (Kentucky) Award (multiple years)
• Toys for Tots Gold Award Winner (Kentucky), 2025
• Battle of for the Golden Goose, scholarship sponsor (S.C.), 2025
• Nation Builders’ Award – United Way of Jamaica
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award – Jamaica Exporters Federation Private Sector Award
• Distinguished Service Award – Northern Caribbean University
• Environmental Company of the Year in 2022 by the SA Confederation of Icelandic Enterprises, marking the first time a heavy industrial business received this honor.
• Fjörusteinn environmental award from Faxaflóahafnir Harbor Association, 2023
• Iceland Gender Equality Award, 2021,2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Century’s corporate governance efforts were recognized two consecutive years with the Proxy of the Year Award from Governance Intelligence (2024, 2025).
• ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified for safety and quality standards (all locations), and Aluminum Stewardship Initiative certified for meeting environmental, social and governance standards (Grundartangi and Jamaica).

During construction and operations, most materials will be moved by river barges and rail, with some road transportation used where necessary. In operation, conveyor belts will carry materials from the river docks to the plant, keeping road traffic low.

For comparison, large warehouses or retail centers often generate hundreds or thousands of truck trips each day. The traffic resulting from this facility is expected to have a significantly smaller impact on local roads.

While we cannot predict exactly how any individual property value may be affected, projects of this scale have historically had a positive impact on local property values. Major investments that create thousands of jobs often increase demand for housing and support improvements to roads, schools, parks, and other community infrastructure, making the area more attractive to current and prospective residents.

Designing an aluminum plant to meet world-class global benchmarks requires substantial engineering and time. We take our responsibility to the community seriously, which means refusing to offer quick, unverified answers that aren't backed by sound science and engineering.

We are committed to being a responsible neighbor that provides real solutions rather than easy answers. Transparency has guided us from the start, especially when a question requires further technical study. Through public meetings, community roundtables, direct correspondence, our online Answers Center and public ODEQ filings, we remain committed to answering community questions with proven, science-backed information throughout this regulatory process.

The project is expected to generate $1.3 billion in state and local tax revenue over 30 years, helping support schools, local infrastructure such as roads and utilities and essential services like police and fire.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a tool that counties and cities use to encourage economic development without raising taxes. A TIF district allows the incremental new tax dollars generated by the project (e.g. property taxes) to be set aside and reinvested in the project vicinity for things like schools, roads, utilities, or other improvements. Financial instruments are used so the investments can be made early. This does not remove or divert existing taxpayer dollars that are already funding schools, public safety, or other services. And it does not increase taxes for area residents. Only the additional future tax revenue created by the project is used, making TIF a way to support growth without putting extra burden on current taxpayers.

No. Neither the project, EGA, nor Century Aluminum will directly receive taxpayer dollars. Any tax support would be indirect. At the State level, the State treasurer places the $255 million LEAD package into an interest bearing investment fund. Upon start of operations, for the first 15 years this fund will disburse equal annual payments to PSO, which will then offsetamount those amounts against the project’s electricity bill.

The project is expected to generate nearly $1.3 billion in direct, indirect, and induced state and local tax revenues over 30 years. This far exceeds the total value of proposed incentives, and therefore the project will provide a net benefit to Oklahoma taxpayers.

At the state level, indirect support would only be received once the project is operational and meets job creation requirements.

No. The local incentive mechanism allows future tax revenues generated by the project to be used earlier for community and project-related improvements.

In the short term, the project enables early investment in infrastructure and community improvements through future tax revenues. Over the long term, the project is expected to generate substantial new tax revenues for local and state governments through property, sales, income, and other taxes.

The project is structured so that incentives are tied to new tax revenues generated by the facility, rather than existing tax bases. This approach is designed to protect current residents from bearing additional tax burdens.

The facility will utilize Emirates Global Aluminum technology that has advanced through 10 technology generations and is now a global leader, with innovations that significantly reduce electricity use per ton when compared with legacy technologies, boosting efficiency and sustainability.

For fluoride, Oklahoma Primary Aluminum’s permitted emissions intensity limit will outperform those of many of the top-performing global primary aluminum plants identified by Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality as benchmarks. Achieving this standard will require state-of-the-art technologies and operational safeguards, including measures unprecedented in the U.S. aluminum industry.

• Enclosed potlines with advanced hooding systems – production units will be covered and fitted with ventilation hoods that capture and filter gases and dust at the source, similar to how a kitchen stove hood traps steam and smoke.

• Wet and dry scrubbing systems – act like giant air filters that remove gases and dust from exhaust, similar to how a vacuum cleaner traps dust so it doesn’t blow back into the room.

• Enclosed anode covers for spent-anode emission control immediately after removal from the pots, rather than storing spent anodes in the open air on the potroom floor.

• A dedicated anode cooling facility for spent anodes after removal from the enclosed covers, rather than open-air cooling.

• Emissions monitoring systems – automated instruments that track emissions, like air quality, ensuring emissions remain within strict U.S. limits. These systems and related emissions are subject to a rigorous permit review process at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

• Energy-efficient EX smelting technology – reduces emissions and energy use while producing more aluminium per unit of energy, making the process cleaner and more efficient.

• Advanced storage and transport of raw materials – all materials are kept in enclosed storage areas, silos, and covered conveyor belts preventing dust from escaping and protecting the surrounding community.

There are multiple levels of regulatory oversight at the federal, state and local levels.

At the federal level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates aluminum smelter emissions under the Clean Air Act, including National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, which set strict limits for regulated pollutants. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also enforces workplace safety standards, including exposure limits and Process Safety Management programs.

At the state level, the Oklahoma Department for Environmental Quality, in conjunction with federal oversight, has authority and will implement these applicable environmental programs and standards through a permitting system. These permits will establish emission limits, monitoring requirements and operating conditions.

At the local level, additional protections include zoning regulations that ensure appropriate distance from residential areas, emergency planning and building codes that guide facility design and safety systems. Together, this layered approach provides strong oversight and protection for community health and safety.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is bringing best-in-class fluoride controls that perform better than many of the top-performing global plants identified by Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will be subject to the lowest fluoride emissions intensity limit in the U.S. primary aluminum industry.

While the EPA's federal limit for new primary aluminum potline emissions is 1.2 lbs of fluoride per ton of aluminum produced, Oklahoma Primary Aluminum’s permitted limit caps potline fluoride emissions at nearly half that - 0.64 lbs per ton of aluminum produced. See this chart to learn more about permit limits for top performing plants globally.

The permitted level established in an air permit is a cap, or the maximum emissions intensity allowed, averaged over a specified period to account for variable factors such as weather and operating conditions. Actual emissions intensity during operation will vary below that permitted limit, as they do at other global benchmark facilities.

Throughout the project, we will be driven by both our environmental responsibility and a strong economic incentive to minimize fluoride emissions. Because fluoride is an essential and costly raw material, we will prioritize capturing and recovering as much as possible for reuse.

This facility is designed to reduce emissions through advanced technology and best operational practices, which meet and exceed regulatory requirements. The plant can only be built and operated when it demonstrates that it meets these strict regulatory standards.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will be a modern, highly controlled plant with multiple safeguards, including emissions monitoring systems. These systems act like air quality monitors, tracking emissions to ensure they stay within strict U.S. limits and are consistently reported to regulators. Further, these systems have been demonstrated to be protective of human health and the environment.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum has proposed the lowest potline fluoride emissions intensity limit in U.S. history, outperforming many of Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality’s global benchmarks. To ensure the safety of our community and local environment, we are now assessing real-world impact. Using advanced air dispersion modeling and local soil and flora studies, we are analyzing how emissions interact with local weather, topography and key plant and animal species to prove that our plant is safe. These results will be reported to the ODEQ before a permit can be granted.

ODEQ is conducting a thorough technical review for our construction and operational permit. The permitting process is designed to ensure our facility meets all state and federal safety standards through several key assessments:

• Best Available Control Technology (BACT) Reviews: Federal and state evaluations to verify that the facility utilizes top-tier emission control systems.

  • Our initial fluoride emissions intensity proposal was based on established best practices in the United States, but the project recently submitted data supporting its air permit application that would cap fluoride emissions intensity at 0.64 pounds per U.S. ton of aluminum produced. That level is lower than the permitted fluoride emissions intensity limits for many of the top-performing primary aluminum plants worldwide identified by ODEQ as benchmarks.

• Air Dispersion Modeling: Advanced computer simulations using local terrain, weather data and emission estimates to model air movement and ensure surrounding air quality remains safe.

• Additional Impacts Analysis: Studies assessing potential environmental effects on local soils and vegetation.

Following technical reviews and modeling evaluations, ODEQ will issue a draft permit once all environmental requirements are met. This opens a formal public comment period and public meeting, giving the community an opportunity to review the proposal and provide feedback. ODEQ will evaluate all public input alongside the technical record before issuing a final decision.

Additionally, because Oklahoma implements an EPA-approved program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Region 6) provides active oversight over ODEQ issued air quality permits.

Aluminum smelters operate under a very comprehensive regulatory framework. Before construction or operation can begin, the facility must obtain multiple permits, including detailed air emissions approvals, undergo extensive technical review, and demonstrate that it can meet strict environmental and safety standards.

Once operational, large industrial facilities are subject to ongoing oversight, including regular inspections, continuous monitoring, and reporting requirements designed to ensure emissions remain within permitted limits and that the facility operates responsibly.

Like many types of businesses, industrial facilities must follow regulations that reflect the scale and nature of their operations. For aluminum smelters, this means a high level of regulatory scrutiny intended to protect the environment, workers, and the surrounding community.

Our approach is to meet, and where possible exceed, applicable regulatory requirements while continuing to listen to community feedback as the project moves forward.

While our initial submission reflected established U.S. best practices and EPA standards, our ultimate goal has always been to meet global standards. Backed by extensive science and engineering, we have updated our air permit application with ODEQ to cap potline fluoride emissions at 0.64 lbs per ton of aluminum produced. This is the lowest limit ever proposed for a U.S. primary aluminum facility, outperforming many of the best global plants.

Revisions are an expected part of the ODEQ process. Reaching this milestone required rigorous technical validation to ensure it was both operationally and commercially viable. By taking the time to do this right, we are deploying state-of-the-art technologies and operational controls to deliver on our commitment to environmental leadership.

ODEQ identified top-performing primary aluminum plants worldwide to establish global emission benchmarks. Oklahoma Primary Aluminum's proposed potline fluoride limit of 0.64 lbs per U.S. ton beats many of these international leaders and is the lowest limit in the U.S. This chart shows the permitted fluoride emissions intensity limits of the facilities identified by ODEQ.

A permit limit is a cap—a maximum threshold averaged over time to account for operational shifts and seasonal weather. For an accurate comparison, permitted limits must be measured against permitted limits, and actuals against actuals. In practice, our operational baseline will remain below this cap. This is driven by both environmental accountability and a clear economic benefit, as capturing and reusing fluoride recovers a vital, high-value raw material needed to produce aluminum.

In the 1960s, aluminum smelters with few emissions controls caused documented harm to livestock, crops and ecosystems, prompting major environmental reforms. The US Clean Air Act and EPA established enforceable fluoride emission limits, to maintain levels that can be dispersed in the same manner as naturally-occuring fluoride. As a result of continuous improvements, total fluoride emissions have fallen by more than 80% since the 1960s.

The air permitting process proves the facility is safe for the surrounding community and environment. We have submitted data to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality capping potline fluoride emissions at 0.64 lbs per U.S. ton of aluminum produced, outperforming many global benchmarks. Because permit caps account for operational variations, our day-to-day emissions will be even lower.

We are now conducting detailed air dispersion modeling and local flora and soil studies to prove safety. By designing safeguards around the area's most sensitive species, we ensure the entire ecosystem is protected. Once operational under a Title V permit, Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will report all data annually to ODEQ, with records fully accessible via the state’s online portal.

This project is proposed for the Port of Inola, which is already zoned for industrial use. Similar facilities operate safely and successfully in both urban and rural communities. Century Aluminum’s facility in Sebree, Kentucky has operated for nearly 50 years. For much of that time, the company leased land it owns to local farmers, who planted corn and soybeans on it. They still grow those crops on this land today.

Jebel Ali smelter in the United Arab Emirates is within the city limits of Dubai, with a major shopping mall and premium residential neighborhoods in close proximity. The facility has operated successfully since 1979.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will be required to submit a comprehensive annual emissions inventory covering all regulated air pollutants through the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) State and Local Emissions Inventory System (SLEIS). In addition, any emissions exceeding permitted limits must be reported to ODEQ by the next business day, followed by a certified written report within 30 days detailing the cause, impact and corrective actions taken.

This reporting framework provides ongoing regulatory oversight and accountability, while permitting documents, emissions data and compliance records remain publicly accessible through ODEQ's online portal, ensuring transparency for the community.

The 0.64 lb/ U.S. ton limit is a maximum permitted cap to account for weather and operational variations; day-to-day emissions will be lower. By comparison, figures for Hydro Sunndal and EGA Al Taweelah reflect 2023 actual emissions. Because fluoride is a high-cost raw material, our commercial interests align with our environmental commitment to capture and reuse as much fluoride as possible, driving continuous reductions and improvements once the plant is operational.

Yes. Around the world, aluminum production facilities operate alongside thriving natural environments, demonstrating that responsible industry and environmental stewardship do coexist.
Examples include:

• Norway: The Hydro Sunndal smelter is situated along a breathtaking fjord surrounded by towering mountains.
• Iceland: Century Aluminum's smelter sits on the shores of deep blue waters, framed by volcanic peaks and rolling green hills.
• United Arab Emirates: At Emirates Global Aluminium's Al Taweelah smelter, the company's sustainability team has helped more than 7,500 sea turtles hatch and make their journey to the Arabian Gulf.
• Kentucky: Century Aluminum's Sebree smelter borders a 3,200-acre woodland that provides valuable habitat for wildlife and is enjoyed by local hunters, beekeepers, and farmers. (Watch these videos featuring community members who use and care for this land.)

These examples demonstrate that responsible aluminum production and environmental stewardship do coexist. With modern technology, stringent environmental standards, continuous monitoring, and regulatory oversight, aluminum facilities can operate while protecting the surrounding environment and neighboring communities.

We are working closely with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to complete the required environmental reviews associated with the federal financial support for the project. These reviews address a range of environmental requirements, including the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Farmland Protection Policy Act, and other applicable environmental statutes and executive orders. 

We are on track to complete this work in early 2027 and submit the results to the DOE for review. Based on the current schedule, we anticipate DOE's review process will conclude by the second quarter of 2027.

Our assessment is designed to identify the project's environmental and social baselines, evaluate potential impacts and develop targeted mitigation strategies, while also reflecting community feedback. Community engagement has provided important insights, and we are actively advancing measures to address the concerns and priorities that have been shared with us through our community feedback. We expect to finalize the assessment in early 2027 and will publish findings on our website.

The facility is designed to reuse the large majority of its water. Only an estimated 5–8% of the water that enters the site is expected to leave as wastewater. This is achieved through rigorous water recovery methods, with recovered water recirculated for reuse within the facility, and water stewardship practices applied across the full value chain. The industrial wastewater that is discharged will be treated on-site - meeting strict pretreatment standards - before being sent to the Tulsa Port of Inola (TPOI) Wastewater Treatment Plant for further treatment and disposal. This discharge is governed by an Industrial User Permit issued by the TPOI, which sets specific discharge limits and requires ongoing monitoring and reporting. TPOI operates the Wastewater Treatment Plant that will serve Oklahoma Primary Aluminum and other industrial park tenants.

To ensure ongoing transparency and accountability, baseline and ongoing soil and groundwater monitoring will be conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements, with results shared publicly with the community.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is committed to full compliance with all applicable U.S. environmental regulations, which provide multiple layers of protection for soil, groundwater and waterways.

• The facility will operate under Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) Construction and Industrial Stormwater Permits, requiring comprehensive inspection, monitoring and reporting programs, as well as detailed Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans designed to prevent runoff and groundwater contamination.
• Additional safeguards will be built into the facility’s design. Raw materials will be stored in enclosed, impermeable structures, while waste materials will be temporarily contained in sealed concrete bunkers before being transported off-site for recycling or processing, minimizing any risk of soil or groundwater exposure.
• Water management will also be subject to multiple levels of oversight. Industrial wastewater will be processed in accordance with a Tulsa Port of Inola Industrial User Permit before entering the Port’s wastewater treatment plant, which itself operates under a separate Oklahoma DEQ discharge permit. This creates two independently regulated and monitored treatment stages.

No. In aluminum smelting, arsenic is not used as a raw input material. As a result, arsenic is not released at levels that could affect human health or the environment.

Modern aluminum production facilities are not typically associated with odor generation. Any potential odor sources such as sewage water will be managed through the wastewater treatment plant.

The facility will maintain its own fully trained, professionally equipped on-site emergency response team, including fire, medical and hazardous materials capabilities. We will actively coordinate with local first responders ensuring proper preparation in the unlikely event there is a need for such services. Also, this added capacity could also support local responders during major local incidents outside of our gate, strengthening emergency readiness in the area.

Before construction begins, a comprehensive emergency response plan will be developed, outlining what actions will be taken, who will be contacted and how information will be quickly shared with nearby residents.

Planning for extreme weather and other unexpected events is a critical part of designing any major industrial facility. Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will be engineered to be resilient to local climate conditions, including tornadoes, flooding, and other foreseeable weather-related events. These considerations are incorporated into the project's design, construction, and emergency preparedness planning to help ensure safe and reliable operations.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will source electricity from the grid, and is in negotiations with Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) to finalize the power agreement. The agreement will be reviewed and approved by the independent Oklahoma Corporate Commission which oversees setting PSO electricity rates in Oklahoma. Part of the purpose of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulatory process is to assess and minimize any impacts on power bills on other customers, both residential and commercial.

EGA’s next-generation technology reduces electricity use by roughly one-third per ton of aluminum compared to the other facilities operating in the United States.

EGA’s industry leading-technology reduces the amount of electricity needed to make each ton of aluminum. The project is currently negotiating a long-term Electricity Supply Agreement with PSO (Public Service Company of Oklahoma) and the utility’s generation providers are working to increase grid capacity.