Portland powers ahead with 380 pots

Portland Aluminium Smelter has reached a significant milestone, successfully ramping up to 380 operating pots, more than 90 per cent of its rated capacity, and further strengthening its role as a major contributor to the Australian aluminium industry.

Located in Victoria's south-west, the smelter is a major regional employer and economic contributor and plays an important role in Alcoa's global value chain, transforming alumina into aluminium used in applications including buildings, transportation, packaging and infrastructure supporting the energy transition.

The milestone followed a carefully planned restart program that returned pots that had been offline since 2023 to service. Pots are the large industrial vessels where alumina is transformed into molten aluminium and are central to the smelting process.

More than a production increase, reaching 380 pots reflects years of investment, planning and continuous improvement across the site. Employees and contractors worked together to enhance reliability, strengthen performance and safely return additional capacity to operation.

Clint McLachlan, Portland Operations Manager, said reaching 380 pots was the result of a collective effort across the entire operation.

"This milestone reflects the commitment, expertise and teamwork of our people," Clint said.

"Returning additional pots to service required careful planning, operational discipline and a shared focus on safe execution. Every part of the business played a role in helping us reach this point.

"The achievement gives us confidence in Portland's future and the role we play in supporting local jobs, our customers and the broader region."

The ramp up comes at a time when aluminium is increasingly recognised as a material critical to modern economies. Its lightweight, durable and recyclable properties make it essential for infrastructure, manufacturing, transport and supporting the global energy transition sector.

Portland's increased output strengthens Alcoa's broader aluminium system and reflects the progress of smelter restart initiatives highlighted in the company’s positive second quarter financial results, which noted the completion of capacity restarts at Portland and other operations globally.

What the smelter has achieved highlights how sustained investment in people, capability and operational excellence can strengthen long-term resilience and competitiveness. As one of the region's major employers and economic contributors, Portland's continued success supports local people, businesses and communities across Victoria's south-west. Recent economic modelling found the smelter supports 1,110 jobs and contributes $126 million in wages, $767 million in economic activity and $179 million in Gross Regional Product annually within the Shire of Glenelg when direct, indirect and induced effects are combined.