ALVANCE British Aluminium’s Fort William smelter has succeeded in increasing sales to the United States to take advantage of the new US tariff regime.

Following the introduction of new US tariffs under the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal announced in May, UK-produced aluminium now benefits from more favourable access to the US market than many global producers.

This has enabled ALVANCE, part of the GFG Alliance, to redirect spot market sales during its summer maintenance outage directly into the US Midwest market, where premiums remain significantly higher than in Europe. A third-party merchant has procured and taken delivery of 1,000 tonnes which is now en route to the United States. By capitalising on this opportunity, the smelter has unlocked additional value from its output while maintaining supply discipline.

Alongside this commercial success, ALVANCE is continuing to invest in the long-term performance of its operations in Lochaber.  Approximately £1 million has been committed during the summer maintenance programme, covering essential equipment upgrades, new equipment installations, process reliability improvements, and efficiency measures. These investments ensure the smelter remains well-positioned to capture future growth and secure strong returns in a volatile global environment.

ALVANCE’s strategic importance goes beyond aluminium production. Due to its energy intensive nature with integrated hydroelectric power station coupled with the recent grid connection, it has played a key role in helping to stabilise the national electricity grid via the balancing mechanism. This automatic response happens in the blink of an eye, keeping local households and businesses supplied and helping the UK optimise its other renewable energy sources.

Tom Uppington, Managing Director, ALVANCE British Aluminium:

“The shift in tariff structures has allowed us to strengthen our market position and extract more value from our output. By combining short-term agility with long-term investment, we are ensuring that ALVANCE continues to compete effectively on the world stage. Our ongoing site improvements ensure we can continue supporting local jobs, the regional economy, and the contribute towards the country’s energy security.”

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Note to editors

ALVANCE British Aluminium, part of the GFG Alliance, operates an aluminium smelter, Britain’s last such plant and a national strategic asset – producing some of the lowest carbon aluminium in the world. Located in Fort William, Scotland, and established in 1929, the smelter is powered by hydroelectricity, underpinning our commitment to green aluminium production.

Our sister company, JAHAMA Highland Estates, manages approximately 114,000 acres of diverse rural land in Lochaber and Badenoch. JAHAMA Highland Estates is dedicated to sustainable development, aiming to benefit local communities, the environment and the economy.

Both ALVANCE British Aluminium and JAHAMA Highland Estates champion an integrated approach to sustainable industry, combining manufacturing excellence with responsible land stewardship.