To address the growing demand from the automotive industry, Alcoa has planned to expand its aluminum rolled products manufacturing facility in Davenport, Iowa.
The expansion work requires an investment of about $300 million and the project is anticipated to be completed by late 2013.
Large numbers of automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have shifted from the use of steel to aluminum products because they are looking for a better solution to enhance the performance, durability, safety and fuel efficiency of their cars. Chairman and CEO of Alcoa, Klaus Kleinfeld stated that the company has a great growth opportunity in the automotive market in the future. World-class manufacturing capabilities, innovative technologies and dedicated employees contribute to the company’s growth in the automotive market.
The expansion also provides huge opportunity for its leading technology solutions, including Alcoa 951 technology. Alcoa 951 is utilized to enhance adhesive bonding for auto assemblies. It is employed as a pretreatment for aluminum sheet extrusions and castings that improves bonding performance. Several tests have shown that Alcoa 951 is four to nine times stronger than titanium zirconium, which is used in the automotive sector.
Alcoa’s Davenport Works is one of the world’s leading aluminum fabricating plants. The facility manufactures aluminum plate and sheet for a wide range of industries, including commercial trucks, passenger vehicles, defense and aerospace.
Source: http://www.alcoa.com/