Alcoa Announces 'Green? Expansion at B&C Research
Company Invests $21 Million into Innovative, Energy-Saving Recycling
Process
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today it will install an advanced recycling
and casting process that will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse
gas emissions as part of a $21 million expansion of B&C Research, part
of the company′s Wheel and Transportation Products business. The Alcoa
investment will create 30 full-time jobs and help protect more than 350
existing positions.
The new 35,000-square-foot facility, the first of its kind in North
America, will use innovative new technology to produce billet from
remelted scrap aluminum. The aluminum billet will then be used to make
new wheels, increasing the efficiency and sustainability of Alcoa′s
manufacturing process.
'This project will strengthen Alcoa′s position as a technology leader,
demonstrated by our line of innovative products including LvL ONE ® and
Dura-Bright ® wheels,? said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and
Transportation Products. 'We are excited to expand our wheels business
in Barberton and share this celebration with our employees and partners
within this great community and state of Ohio. We thank Mayor Bob Genet
as well as our community, state and federal partners for their
collaboration and outstanding support to help grow this important
manufacturing operation and help secure jobs well into the future.?
'Alcoa is a company with a proud history in Northeast Ohio, and its
expansion in Barberton is further proof that manufacturing is on the
rebound in Ohio and across the country,? said U.S. Senator Sherrod
Brown. 'Ohio is the right place for Barberton′s expansion because of our
state′s manufacturing know-how and our skilled workforce committed to
making quality products. This multi-million dollar investment will
create and protect critical jobs in Summit County. I′m also glad to see
Alcoa help expand sustainable manufacturing a 21st-century
industry with a high potential for growth in our state.?
Alcoa′s aluminum wheels offer advantages to the environment and the
consumer. Aluminum wheels reduce the overall weight of the vehicle,
which significantly improves fuel efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas
emissions. And the new advanced recycling and casting process is more
efficient than conventional systems, lowering Alcoa′s carbon footprint
through a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption.
'This new process is another great example of Alcoa providing customers
with innovative technology to make our 100 percent recyclable aluminum
wheels even more efficient, while investing in the communities where we
operate,? said Kevin Anton, Alcoa′s Chief Sustainability Officer.
'This is an important day for the city of Barberton on many fronts,?
said Barberton Mayor Bob Genet. 'First, we are very fortunate to have a
company like Alcoa continue to invest both in its operations and
employees by creating a strong manufacturing base and high-paying
skilled jobs. We also appreciate and recognize the company′s long-term
commitment to this area and the vital role they play in our region.?
The expansion is scheduled to be completed the second half of 2012.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel
and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves
the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products
used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels,
premium products such as Dura-Bright ®, Dura-Flange ®, LvL ONE ® and
M-Series? medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum
components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions:
Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation
Products. It employs 1,500 people at 23 locations worldwide. More
information can be found at www.alcoawheels.com.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world′s leading producer of primary
and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world′s largest miner of bauxite
and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum
industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the
aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa ® wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa′s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
Editorial Contacts:
Alcoa Engineered Products & Solutions
Jean
Moorman, 216-641-4140
or
Alcoa Inc.
Mike Belwood,
812-604-0530
or
Investor Relations:
Alcoa Inc.
Roy
Harvey, 212-836-2674