Alcoa’s San Ciprián smelter has recovered to 90% capacity, with plans to reach its full 228,000-ton annual limit by mid-2026.

After production cuts in 2021 caused by soaring energy prices and a national power outage last April, the facility is rebounding. Molly Beerman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, confirmed the team maintained assets well during the curtailment.

While the smelter aims for profitability by 2027, the onsite alumina refinery remains very challenged, running at just half of its capacity and having a limited remaining service life.

Alcoa is currently building a new residue storage area to last until the early 2030s. The immediate goal is cash neutrality, using smelter profits to offset refinery losses and protect capital for other global projects.