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Alcoa Invests $60 Million To Expand Its R&D Technical Center Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

09/03/2015
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa will invest $60 million to expand its R&D Technical Center center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The investment will accelerate the development of advanced 3D-printing materials and processes.

Alcoa will produce materials designed specifically for a range of additive technologies to meet increasing demand for complex, high-performance 3D-printed parts for aerospace and other high-growth markets such as medical, building and construction and automotive. The expansion is under construction at world’s largest light metals research center, company officials said.

Alcoa is investing in the next generation of 3D printing for aerospace and beyond,” said Alcoa Chairman/CEO Klaus Kleinfeld. “Combining our expertise in metal alloys, manufacturing, design and product qualification, we will push beyond the limits of today’s additive manufacturing. This investment strengthens our leadership position in meeting fast-growing demand for aerospace components made using additive technologies.”

This expansion of the Alcoa Technical Center builds on Alcoa’s additive manufacturing capabilities in California, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas. Construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016. The project will create more than 100 full-time positions—including materials specialists, design experts, and process and inspection technologists—by 2017 and approximately 45 temporary jobs during construction.

Westmoreland County, Upper Burrell Township, Burrell School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development have agreed to support the project through a mixture of financial support and tax abatements, resulting in an estimated cost savings of up to $10 million.

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