Century Aluminum to Restart South Carolina Plant, Boosting US Aluminum Output by 10% Due to 232 Tariffs

Published: Aug 8, 2025 20:23

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[Citing Benefits of 232 Tariffs, Century Aluminum to Restart Mt. Holly SC Plant, Increasing U.S. Aluminum Output by 10%]
Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) announced on August 7, 2025, that it will restart over 50,000 metric tons of idled production at its Mt. Holly smelter in South Carolina. The company will invest about $50 million, create more than 100 new jobs, and increase U.S. domestic aluminum production by nearly 10%. The plant, currently running at 75% capacity, is expected to reach full production by June 30, 2026 — a level last seen in 2015.
The restart follows President Trump’s decision to raise Section 232 tariffs on primary aluminum imports to 50% without exemptions, aiming to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply. Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary emphasized the move’s role in safeguarding national security, protecting American workers, and revitalizing domestic aluminum production. At full capacity, the Mt. Holly smelter is projected to generate over $890 million annually for South Carolina’s economy, partly driven by an average salary of $100,000 for directly supported jobs. The restart was enabled through an agreement in principle with Santee Cooper, Mt. Holly’s power supplier, to extend the current contract through 2031.

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