Alcoa Expands R&D Center Near Pittsburgh

Alcoa-expands-pennsylvania
(Credit: Pittsburgh Regional Alliance)

Alcoa is investing $60 million to expand its R&D center in Westmoreland County, PA. The expansion 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 automotive, medical and building and construction. The project is under construction near Pittsburgh at the Alcoa Technical Center, the world’s largest light metals research center.

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.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, Westmoreland County, Upper Burrell Township and Burrell School District 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. The company received a funding proposal from the PA DCED that includes a $450,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant, $180,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, and $76,500 in WEDnetPA funding. Alcoa has also been encouraged to apply for a $2 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.

“Alcoa is investing in the next generation of 3D printing for aerospace and beyond,” said Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 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.