Alcoa Inc. on Friday said it is considering curtailing aluminum smelting and refining operations via closures and divestment as part of a continuing effort to improve its profitability.

Free Download: Cost Certainty for International Trades

Over the next year, Alcoa said it would consider curtailing, shutting down or shedding up to 14% of its global smelting capacity and 16% of its refining capacity. The company said has already idled some of its operations.

The New York-based aluminum firm with major operations in Pittsburgh has been benefiting from past efforts to close unprofitable smelters in high-cost areas. The company said it has curtailed, closed or sold about 31% of its highest-cost global smelting capacity since 2007.