Century Aluminum reports $752m in Q2 net sales as output rises 6%

Century Aluminum reported net sales of $752 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $103 million in the previous quarter. Net income reached $249 million, while adjusted EBITDA was $327 million.

Aluminum shipments totaled approximately 131,000 metric tons, up 6% quarter-on-quarter, following the Mount Holly expansion in the United States and the restart of Line 2 at the Grundartangi smelter in Iceland.

Peter Tripkofsky, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Century Aluminum, said higher LME aluminum prices and regional premiums contributed $95 million to the increase in adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter. Capital expenditure totaled $59 million in Q2, with $37 million for the Mount Holly expansion and Jamalco’s new TG4 power generation unit. 

To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our report "The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035"

Mount Holly and Grundartangi return to full production

Century completed the restart of the final 90 pots at Mount Holly in South Carolina in late June, returning the smelter to full capacity. The expansion added more than 150 full-time jobs and increased US primary aluminum production capacity by nearly 10%.

Jesse Gary, Chief Executive Officer of the company, added, “We were proud to host US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and South Carolina Attorney General Allen Wilson to the plant last week to celebrate this major achievement.”

At Grundartangi in Iceland, Line 2 restarted at the end of July, around six months ahead of the original timeline. Production is close to full capacity, with new replacement transformers expected to be installed in the fourth quarter.

Explore downstream aluminium products from our comprehensive list on AL Biz.

The company expects the additional production from Mount Holly to contribute more fully to shipments in Q3. It forecasts adjusted EBITDA of $325 million to $345 million for the quarter.

Oklahoma smelter project advances

Century is progressing with plans for a new aluminum smelter in Oklahoma with joint venture partner Emirates Global Aluminium. Detailed engineering, energy contract negotiations and financing work are underway. The company expects a final investment decision and groundbreaking by the end of 2026, with first hot metal targeted for the end of 2029.

Read our latest magazine “ALuminium’s Frontline: OEM Edition 2026” and learn how OEMs are transforming critical aluminium applications across end-use sectors.

On July 20, President Trump introduced an incentive allowing companies building new US primary aluminum production capacity to import aluminum at a 25% tariff rate, instead of 50%, up to the volume of new capacity being built. The move follows the Section 232 program and the closure of import valuation loopholes in April.

Gary said, “This is another well-designed piece of policy and we are grateful to President Trump and his team for their support and commitment to restoring production of American aluminum.” The company expects its Oklahoma project to qualify to import up to 750,000 metric tons of aluminum annually at a reduced 25% tariff rate from 2027. Of this volume, 40%, or up to 300,000 metric tons per year, would go to Century, which plans to use the benefit to help fund its share of the project.