Kibar Americas Resumes Fairmont Aluminum Production

Kibar Americas has begun commercial production at its rolling mill in Fairmont, West Virginia. The facility will produce aluminum products for the HVAC, packaging, automotive, and industrial sectors, expanding the company’s manufacturing footprint in the United States.

The Chicago-based firm acquired the plant from Novelis earlier this year, approximately nine months after the site was idled. This move allows Kibar Americas to complement its existing commercial and distribution presence with local production capabilities, bringing manufacturing closer to its customer base.

Strategic acquisition of idled mill

Atilla Çetinel, COO of Kibar Americas, described the Fairmont investment as a cornerstone of the company’s long-term growth strategy in North America. By establishing local manufacturing, the firm aims to strengthen its ability to respond to customer needs and reduce reliance on external sourcing for its product lines.

Parent company diversifies global footprint

Kibar Americas operates as the US subsidiary of Assan Alüminyum, a Turkey-based group and one of Europe’s largest foil producers. Assan has positioned itself across foil, coated products, and specialty flat-rolled segments. The Fairmont facility is part of a broader strategy to diversify the group’s manufacturing footprint and build capabilities closer to customers in key markets.

Göksal Güngör, managing director of Assan Alüminyum Group, stated that combining the company’s European production, R&D, and sustainability capabilities with Kibar Americas’ North American presence strengthens the global platform. This integration creates a more balanced and resilient foundation for future growth by bridging the gap between European expertise and American market access.

Market context from industry reports

Industry materials from GN auto stocks and aluminum production reports highlight the significance of this operational shift. The activation of the Fairmont plant adds new capacity to the regional aluminum supply chain, potentially influencing local market dynamics and competitive positioning for flat-rolled products in the Midwest.