Atlantic Alumina Co. LLC (Atalco), has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense, Concord Resources Holdings Ltd. and Pinnacle Asset Management L.P. to sustain and increase domestic alumina production and establish the country’s first and only large-scale primary gallium production circuit in Gramercy, Louisiana.
Since 1959, alumina produced by Atalco has been used as the essential raw material for aluminum required for American aerospace, defense, and automotive supply chains, while the company’s chemical grade alumina supplied industries aligned with the national interest, including catalysts for oil and gas refineries, refractories, fire suppressants, ceramic casing for semiconductors, and municipal water treatment. Both alumina and gallium are essential minerals for production of aerospace and defense systems, catalysts, semiconductors, and next-generation energy technology.
With support of leadership from Defense, the state of Louisiana and Louisiana Congressional members, this partnership fosters Atalco’s intention to produce over 1 million metric tons of alumina per year and up to 50 metric tons of gallium per year with a mostly unionized 500-person workforce.
“Aligning this essential public sector support with private sector investment will secure onshore supply of alumina and gallium, which are contested commodity market segments currently dominated by China," Atalco said in a statement.
Atalco will supply alumina to U.S. customers, including aluminum smelters and critical mineral consumers in diverse industries. The revitalization of the Gramercy site will bring Atalco's existing facility back to nameplate production while designing and constructing a new gallium production circuit.
Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program has invested $150 million of preferred equity in Atalco. Additional federal funding was expected to close within 30 days of the equity closing. Pinnacle has invested more than $300 million in private capital.
