Area Development
Novelis, a manufacturer of rolled aluminum and recycler of aluminum beverage cans, opened its new 160,000-square-foot research and technology center outside of Atlanta, Georgia, which will serve as the global hub of the company's development activities.

Located at 1950 Vaughn Road in Kennesaw, Georgia, just north of the Novelis' Atlanta headquarters, the $20 million facility will include materials development and testing laboratories, a pilot beverage can production line and meeting space. Future plans include a small scale aluminum rolling mill, and heat treatment capabilities. The center will create an estimated 120 jobs, and serve as the focal point for all research and development within the company.

"The new Global Research & Technology Center will bring together some of world's leading metallurgists, materials scientists, engineers and technologists all working for the benefit of Novelis' customers across the globe," said Stefan Erdmann, Novelis' Vice President of Global R&D. "The center will tackle challenges ranging from increasing fuel efficiency in automobiles to making consumer packaging and electronics products more sustainable."

Novelis is partnering with the Georgia Institute of Technology and Southern Polytechnic State University on research opportunities, recruitment and internships for the future generation of engineers.

"Innovation is the foundation of our strategy and a critical driver of our growth," said Jack Clark, Novelis' Chief Technical Officer. "It's also one of the key components of achieving our commitment to having 80 percent recycled content across our products by the year 2020. This new center will help drive increased collaboration with our customers, enabling us to work side-by-side in developing innovative, sustainable aluminum products."

While information on tax credit incentives provided the firm was not immediately available, Brooks Mathis, vice president of Economic Development at the Cobb Chamber, said "Novelis is a prime example of the companies we're working to bring to Cobb County. This Global Research & Technology Center will be the home of Novelis' greatest talents, producing innovative, sustainable aluminum products for the global market," said.