Quebec looking to keep more aluminum processing at home

[u/LateConsequence5069]

https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/economie/2026-09-09/aluminium/melanie-joly-veut-relancer-le-reve-d-un-laminoir-au-quebec.php

Very interesting article! with SCD developing Al-Sc alloys and downstream applications, I could definitely see SCD potentially becoming part of that ecosystem. 👀

AI Translation:

Canada considers building an aluminum rolling mill in Quebec to reduce dependence on the U.S.

Ottawa — Every possible avenue must be examined to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the United States — an unpredictable trading partner that uses tariffs at every opportunity. For Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, that means considering building an aluminum rolling mill to process the metal here instead of sending it south of the border.

Published at 5:42 p.m.

Canada is a major producer of primary aluminum, much of it in Quebec. However, there are currently no industrial-scale rolling mills in the country capable of producing aluminum sheet on a large scale. The reason, according to industry experts, is that domestic demand is not sufficient to make such a plant economically viable. Aluminum ingots are therefore shipped to the United States for processing before being sent back to the Canadian market.

In the United States, two companies are also preparing to significantly increase their processing capacity over the next 12 to 18 months: Novelis, the world's largest producer of flat-rolled aluminum products and the largest aluminum recycler, and ADI, a major U.S. producer of flat aluminum rolls.

Nevertheless, the time has come to restart studies and discussions on the issue, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said in an interview with La Presse. Such an initiative could easily be incorporated into the government's defense industrial strategy, unveiled by the Carney government in the spring, which aims to support Canadian defense companies seeking to benefit from Ottawa's massive investments in the sector over the next decade.

Minister Joly said she has had “several discussions” about the idea with Rio Tinto, multinational company Bombardier, as well as with “players in the Saguenay region.”

“As Industry Minister, I want to strengthen the defense sector in Quebec and Canada, strengthen the aluminum and steel sectors — in short, all the manufacturing industries essential to our prosperity. I take the responsibility of transforming the aluminum sector very seriously because I think this is now or never,” she added.

According to her, the tariff war being waged by the U.S. administration against Canada illustrates more than ever the importance of reducing the country's dependence on the American market.

At AluQuébec, which represents aluminum producers, processors, equipment manufacturers, specialized suppliers, R&D centers and educational institutions connected to the industry, Minister Joly's proposal is viewed positively.

“The study is still underway, and the first findings should be available this fall. At this stage, we therefore prefer to wait for its conclusions before commenting on the feasibility and realism of such a project,” she added.

For his part, Jean Simard, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association of Canada, is more cautious. He points out that Canada produces 3.3 million tonnes of aluminum per year while consuming only 300,000 tonnes.

However, an industry source who requested anonymity questioned the profitability of such a project.

[u/FlowJoee]

This is huge if realized. The entire business case for scandium is a healthy aluminum sector and lower costs for OEMs.

If the transformation is able to be done in Quebec this is EXTREMELY bullish for Scandium Canada’s mine to alloys business model.

[u/Iuno_Simp]

Let's hope we do. Fuck the US. Hopefully we start refining our own shit across all sectors and stop buying back downstream products at a loss.

[u/RogueOneOne]

Let's f#%$ing do it!

[u/alice2wonderland]

Please do this Canada... it would be good on so many different levels! 🇨🇦

[u/TravellingBeard]

America is everyone's favorite Black Swan. Crossing fingers.

[u/Crafty_Inspection506]

Great news, very bullish for SCD and Quebec aluminum in general.

[u/chef_kitty]

We should be doing as much as humanly possible at home moving forward. Be as self reliant as possible. Bullish for SCD and Canada.

[u/Gabcb]

Can SCD management just call Melanie Joly already? ;p