Alcoa’s ‘green’ expansion at research facility

United States – Primary and fabricated aluminium products producer Alcoa is planning to install a sophisticated recycling and casting process as part of a US$ 21 million expansion proposal for B&C Research – a US-based division of Alcoa’s Wheel and Transportation Products business.

The projected new facility will employ innovative technology and remelted scrap aluminium to produce billet, which will later be utilised for wheel production. The advanced casting and recycling process is said to be highly efficient and cuts the company’s carbon footprint by reducing its energy consumption by 25%.

Scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2012, the project will expand Alcoa’s wheel products business in Barberton, Ohio, it is claimed.