MMTA member AMG Chrome, a leading chromium producer based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK is building a new plant in New Castle, Pennsylvania, USA.
The plant, expected to be fully operational in 2026 will supply standard thermit chromium (aluminothermic chromium metal) to US customers. The New Castle, PA, plant will be solely focused on uplifting capacity to support large end users of single-step chromium metal with a genuine US origin, the company said. The new plant’s location is close to AMG Chrome’s customer base, allowing deliveries to only take 1-2 business days.
AMG Chrome’s Commercial Director Michael Haw said: “After more than 30 years, thermit chrome production returns to the USA. It is going to be a world-class facility and shows AMG’s support for critical materials and the US economy.”
AMG Chrome’s UK plant will continue to supply the existing customer base in the USA and the rest of the world. Other UK products will be two step degassed chromium with degassing plants both in the UK and US and chromium powders. The new US plant will only supply single-step standard grade chromium.
The MMTA caught up with Michael Haw to learn more about AMG’s plans for having its chromium metal Made in the USA.
MMTA When will the plant start production and what will be it capacity?
MH We have a building in place, and a lot of the preparation has already been done. The plant will be operational in Q1 2026. Capacity wise it will be around 4,000t/yr at this stage.
MMTA Will it have the same or different raw material sourcing channels as the UK plant?
MH The chrome oxide the plant will use will be the same as used in the UK, so the supply chain will be the same for both plants. The aluminium reagent is produced in–house in the UK.
MMTA Is the plant targeting specific US markets?
MH Clearly a plant in the US is long overdue and in the current climate, it is time to answer the market need.
One advantage is the proximity of the plant location to the large customers, so we will be able to offer same-day or next-day transportation to the customer base.
The plant will target bulk consumers of chromium metal for nickel alloy
production – applications such as oil & gas, automotive, industrial gas turbine, medical and some
aerospace applications. Other markets include producers of atomised hard facing powders and processing companies who manufacture chromium powder.
MMTA Why has the decision been made not to produce double-degassed chrome in the USA – could this change? Are you contemplating powder production in the US or expanding into other chromium products?
MH Based on customer approvals the UK plant will continue to serve customers for two step degassed chromium and chromium powders. AMG already has degassing plants in the UK and US, also in New Castle PA, with the chromium feed produced in the UK. At this time there no plans to change this supply plan.
MMTA How do you see chromium market dynamics at present and in the longer term? Are there particularly prospective markets, or are you seeing growth in makes whether nuclear energy or oil and gas drilling, or IGTs?
MH The outlook for chromium demand is positive, with continued growth in demand in the traditional markets, aerospace demand still has scope for ramp up after the turmoil of 2024 and defence demand is growing at present. New applications include the energy generation sector and alloys for the EV market.
MMTA Are US tariffs a barrier or an opportunity? What would be the optimal outcome for the UK/US trade, in light of the evolving tariff regime?
MH Tariffs are only a small part of the reason for this investment, the main reason is that our customer base has become more strategic in their thinking with respect of element origin and they want the option of US production. So yes, tariffs are an opportunity, although clearly there is some uncertainty around them. Right now, chromium metal is not subject, for example, to the reciprocal tariffs that the US brought in because it is on the exemption list. So the current US tariff rate for UK origin chromium is 3%.
Fundamentally, if this is not the right time to build a plant in the US, then when is it?
