It is known that the addition of Al in interstitial free steel has a positive influence on the normal direction fiber recrystallization texture. The location and role of Al in interstitial free steel are not yet clear. Current research shows the likely role of Al in precipitation and/or its location in the grain matrix/grain boundary (0.17 wt% Al) and its impact on the properties. Industrially processed hot-rolled steel subjected to cold rolling (90%) and isothermal annealing validated the formation of normal direction fiber recrystallization texture. Precipitation studies showed no Al-containing precipitates. High-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging confirmed the presence of Al more on certain grain boundaries in fully recrystallized steel. Molecular statics simulation studies using a large-scale atom/molecular massively parallel simulator showed a reduction in the grain boundary energy with Al addition, assisting the system to reach a minimum energy state. © 2022