Millett: SDI is Receiving Warm Welcome from Aluminum Buyers
06/17/2026 - Not only are customers accepting Steel Dynamics Inc.’s aluminum, they are embracing it, the company’s chief executive officer said Wednesday.
Speaking during the 2026 Global Steel Dynamics Forum, Mark Millett told attendees that SDI’s Aluminum Dynamics business is finding eager buyers in an undersupplied market, along with rapid market penetration and product acceptance.
Product certifications for beverage can and automotive sheet can take months, if not a year or more. But Millett said SDI has been receiving approvals in days and weeks.
As an example, Millet said Aluminum Dynamics recently shipped the first trial material from the first of two ccontinuous annealing and solution heat-treatment lines. The material went to a Big 3 automaker, which approved it for use in production in less than five weeks.
“The market acceptance has been phenomenal,” Millett said.
Product certifications for beverage can and automotive sheet can take months, if not a year or more. But Millett said SDI has been receiving approvals in days and weeks.
As an example, Millet said Aluminum Dynamics recently shipped the first trial material from the first of two ccontinuous annealing and solution heat-treatment lines. The material went to a Big 3 automaker, which approved it for use in production in less than five weeks.
“The market acceptance has been phenomenal,” Millett said.
