AMG Chrome Metal Plant Strengthens US Aerospace Alloy Supply

AMG Critical Materials

AMG chrome metal plant start-up in Pennsylvania will add new US production capacity for a specialty metal used in aerospace, defence and energy applications. AMG Critical Materials plans to open the 6,500 t/yr aluminothermic chrome metal facility in New Castle on 17 June.

The AMG chrome metal plant is strategically important because the US remains heavily dependent on imported unwrought chromium and chromium powders. In 2025, the US imported 11,153t of these products, with the UK supplying 51% and China supplying 34.9%.

The AMG chrome metal plant will sit next to AMG’s existing titanium facility, which produces titanium master alloys and other specialty alloys for aerospace, defence and energy markets. That location creates a stronger domestic cluster for high-performance alloy inputs.

Chrome metal is used in superalloys because it improves corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance. These properties are essential for aircraft engines, defence systems, industrial turbines and other demanding applications.

New Castle Facility Adds Domestic Chrome Capacity

AMG’s new Pennsylvania facility will use aluminothermic production to make chrome metal. The process is important for producing material suitable for high-performance alloy markets.

AMG already has established chrome expertise through AMG Chrome, its UK-based subsidiary. The Rotherham site produces chrome metal, high-purity degassed chrome metals and chrome powders.

The New Castle plant extends that capability into the US market. This gives American aerospace and defence customers another domestic source of chrome metal at a time when supply-chain security has become a higher priority.

The facility’s proximity to AMG’s titanium operation also matters. Titanium master alloys, chrome metal and specialty alloy inputs often serve overlapping customers in aerospace, defence and energy.

That creates potential operational and commercial advantages. AMG can support customers that need multiple alloying materials with stronger domestic logistics, qualification support and supply visibility.

Tariffs and Russian Supply Loss Reshape Chromium Trade

The US chrome market has been reshaped by sanctions, tariffs and trade disruption. Russian supplies became less available after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, forcing buyers to rely more heavily on other sources.

China became a more important supplier as Russian material disappeared from western trade flows. However, the US imposed a 25% Section 301 tariff on Chinese-origin chrome metal in September 2024.

That tariff increased the cost and complexity of Chinese supply. It also strengthened the case for domestic production capacity, especially for aerospace and defence applications where supply continuity matters.

Europe’s own supply behaviour has also changed. The loss of Russian supplies pushed French producers to keep more material within Europe rather than ship volumes to the US.

This leaves the US exposed to a narrow set of import routes. AMG’s Pennsylvania plant helps reduce that vulnerability by adding domestic chrome metal capacity linked to an established specialty materials producer.

For aerospace superalloy supply chains, this is more than a metal availability issue. Engine and defence programmes require qualified, traceable and reliable materials. Domestic production can reduce risk around tariffs, sanctions, shipping and geopolitical disruption.

The Metalnomist Commentary

AMG’s New Castle plant shows that specialty alloy security is moving beyond titanium and nickel into smaller but critical inputs such as chrome metal. The US cannot build resilient aerospace and defence supply chains without domestic capacity for the alloying elements that make superalloys perform.