Braidy Industries to build autobody sheet, aerospace plate aluminum rolling mill

Braidy Industries Inc., in partnership with the state of Kentucky and the Ashland Alliance, will construct the nation’s first greenfield aluminum rolling mill in more than three decades.

The $1.3 billion rolling mill will produce autobody sheet aluminum and plate and ultrahigh-strength alloys for the aerospace industry. The mill will open with capacity of 370,000 tons per year, producing series 5000, 6000, and 7000 aluminum sheet and plate products. The company also is exploring new scientific nanocrystalline technical advances capable of improving molten metal-based manufacturing.

Ground-breaking at the 370-acre site will occur in Q1 2018 in Greenup County, Ky., close to the city of Ashland. The mill will be 2.5 million sq. ft. under roof.