Boston, MA 10/02/2014 (wallstreetpr) – Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) disclosed that it opened the world’s biggest aluminum-lithium plant in Indiana’s Lafayette. The plant would produce sophisticated third-generation aluminum-lithium alloys targeted towards the aerospace industry.
Aerospace Industry
The Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) said that it could see more manufacturers from the aircraft industry preferring lighter but stronger aluminum-lithium alloys, its statement indicated. These were not only less expensive compared to titanium and composites but also allowed better efficiency of fuel apart from lower costs towards maintenance.
Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) said its intention was to make a big move towards capturing the increasing demand from the aviation industry. It believes that the aviation’s future was being built with aluminum-lithium. The company disclosed that it was already sitting with a $100 million contract in aluminum-lithium revenue for the year 2017.
The capabilities at different locations were expanded to keep pace with the demand. This included Technical Center outside Pittsburgh, Kitts Green facility in Britain and Lafayette. As far as Lafayette cast house, the plant would be able to produce over 20,000 metric tons or 44 million pounds of aluminum-lithium a year. As a result, it becomes the biggest facility of its kind around the world.
Aluminum-Lithium Portfolio
The biggest aluminum producer said that its aluminum-lithium portfolio of products included extruded, rolled and forged parts. It has gained a number one position in aluminum-lithium extrusion market and positioned significantly on the Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Gulfstream G650, and Airbus A380 segment.
The company produces single-piece wing skins meant for fuselage skins, wide-body airplanes, floor beams, wing stringers, seat tracks besides other components. It indicated that it was also creating the first ever aluminum-lithium powered forging for a front fan blade for PurePower engines of Pratt & Whitney.
CEO Comments
Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) Chairman and CEO, Klaus Kleinfeld, said that the facility in Indiana provides the widest aluminum-lithium components portfolio for the next generation aircraft. He said that the plant has a world-class facility to reaffirm its position as premier aluminum-lithium supplier.
