Magnitude 7 Metals has announced plans to restart part of its primary aluminium smelter in Marston, south-east Missouri, US.
The move is expected to add around 75,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of aluminium output from potline one, with the additional capacity scheduled to come online before the end of 2026.
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The Marston smelter has been a significant source of primary aluminium in the US.
Operations at the facility have been idle since 2024, when Magnitude 7 Metals halted production, citing low aluminium prices and high energy costs, reported Bloomberg.
Magnitude 7 Metals acquired the smelter from Noranda Aluminum in 2018.
The closure affected more than 400 workers and prompted federal officials including Senator Josh Hawley to call for efforts to keep the plant operational.
David Kaplan from Otto von Blue, the owner of Magnitude 7 Metals, said: “Today’s announcement represents more than the return of production – it reflects renewed confidence in America’s industrial strength and future.
“We are proud to restore critical domestic aluminum capacity, creating hundreds of new good-paying manufacturing jobs in Marston, Missouri, and invest in the long-term resilience of American manufacturing. President Trump’s 50% aluminum tariff has created the conditions for that investment.”
The reopening of the Marston plant is expected to increase US primary aluminium output by more than 20% when combined with other recent industry developments, including the resumption of production at Century Aluminum’s South Carolina smelter.
Century Aluminum has also entered into a partnership with Emirates Global Aluminum to construct what would be the first new US smelter since 1980.
Welcoming Magnitude 7 Metals’ decision, American Primary Aluminum Association president Mark Duffy said: “Restarting the Magnitude 7 aluminium smelter in the Missouri bootheel is a gamechanger for families in Missouri and is critically important for US national security.”
