A stronger aluminum industry means a stronger America.
America needs aluminum — and it needs more of it, of every kind, made and recycled here at home to keep our economy strong and our nation secure. As one of the few materials listed on every government critical minerals list, aluminum is vital to the products, infrastructure and technologies that power America, from fighter jets and the cars we drive to the power grid, packaging and advanced manufacturing.
The answer isn’t choosing between primary aluminum and recycled aluminum. America needs more of both.
It’s time for an all-of-the-above strategy to make more aluminum, keep more aluminum, invest more in aluminum and compete on a level playing field.
The Challenge
U.S. primary aluminum production has fallen 80% from its 1980s peak, and America now produces less than 20% of the primary aluminum it needs — leaving us reliant on imports.
At the same time, that demand keeps growing as America builds more vehicles, infrastructure, energy systems, data centers and advanced manufacturing capacity.
We cannot build the future on an inadequate aluminum supply.
Make more aluminum
Primary and recycled aluminum are not an either-or choice. They serve different applications and work together to supply the American manufacturing base.
America needs policies that grow both.
Support access to abundant, affordable energy for manufacturers, faster permitting and investment in the domestic production of critical minerals and raw materials.
Ban exports of high-value aluminum scrap like used beverage containers (UBCs) that can help secure feedstock for U.S. recyclers. Expand domestic recycling, sorting and remelting capacity and use incentives to increase production of recycled aluminum.
America needs more aluminum of every kind — made and recycled here at home to keep our economy strong and our nation secure.
Keep more aluminum
Aluminum can be recycled again and again without losing its fundamental properties. That makes aluminum scrap one of America’s most valuable manufacturing resources.
Yet U.S. aluminum recycling rates remain too low. Less than 50% of used beverage cans are recycled, leaving more than $1 billion in aluminum on the table every year.
The United States also exports enough aluminum scrap each year to make around 10 million passenger vehicles or 10,000 jumbo jets.
That is material America could be using to make more products, create more jobs and strengthen domestic supply chains.
Keep more aluminum here.
Invest more in aluminum
The aluminum industry is already investing in America’s future and supporting good-paying jobs across the country at the same time.
Aluminum companies have invested more than $11 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the past decade, primarily in recycling and mid- and downstream production.
But future demand will require more.
Global aluminum demand is projected to grow by roughly 80% by 2050 as manufacturing expands, the grid grows and new energy and data center projects come online.
America should capture that growth here.
Invest in the people, plants, energy and infrastructure that make American aluminum possible.
Defend more aluminum
A strong domestic aluminum industry cannot compete when unfairly traded imports undermine American production and investment.
America needs trade policies that recognize the unique structure of the North American aluminum market and protect U.S. manufacturers from unfair competition.
That Means:
Strong, targeted enforcement against unfair trade.
Robust action against tariff evasion and transshipment.
Strong antidumping and countervailing duty enforcement.
The all-of-the-above agenda
The solution is not to choose one part of the industry over another.
Make More Aluminum.
Grow primary and secondary production.
Keep More Aluminum.
Capture more scrap and recycle more metal here at home.
Invest More in Aluminum.
Build the capacity, energy and infrastructure needed for future demand.
Defend More Aluminum.
Enforce the rules and protect American manufacturers from unfair trade.
Together, these actions can strengthen America’s aluminum supply chain, support American manufacturing and ensure the material our country needs is available when and where we need it.
America’s manufacturing future depends on it.