Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has established an
Innovation Center of Excellence with leading universities in Russia to
work on research and development projects focused on innovative
mining, refining and smelting technologies.
"By establishing relationships with leading universities, national
labs and industry partner research and development organizations in
growing countries, Alcoa is multiplying its knowledge pool and is
continuing to position the company on the cutting-edge of innovations
within our key markets," said Mohammad Zaidi, Executive Vice
President, Market Strategy, Technology and Quality. "By collaborating
with the best and brightest around the world that have expertise in
the sciences at the foundation of our key markets, we are creating a
powerful leveraging engine."
Alcoa has signed agreements with Moscow State University in
Moscow, St. Petersburg State Mining Institute in St. Petersburg, and
Ural Polytechnic University in Ekaterinburg to work on research and
development projects focused on transformational technologies in
mining and refining. This complements the projects already started by
Alcoa in Russia in the field of research. As of 2005, Alcoa Foundation
has been supporting a major program in Russia to support education in
three key technical universities in Moscow, Samara and Rostov-on-Don,
the three key regions where the company has its offices and production
facilities.
"Today's business climate demands collaboration between business
and universities, which Alcoa has been doing for years," said Dave
Olney, Vice President of Technology and Alcoa Business System (ABS)
for Alcoa World Alumina. "The scientific community in Russia has a
distinguished reputation, and we are excited by the initial energy
between our researchers and these universities."
Alcoa's Innovation Center of Excellence in St. Petersburg, Russia,
is part of a broader open innovation business model that focuses
leveraging R&D resources in rapidly developing countries. Last month,
Alcoa announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
with India's Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) to
partner in collaborative research projects that address critical
global issues such as energy efficiency, alternative and renewable
energy sources, environmental technologies as well as multi-material
engineered solutions. In China, Alcoa is working with Northeastern
University (NeU) in Shenyang and Central South University (CSU) in
Changsha, both of which are under the direct administration of the
Ministry of Education of China. The collaboration between Alcoa and
NeU and CSU focuses on innovative process technologies, energy
efficiency, and nanotechnology.
About Alcoa Technology
Alcoa's global technology organization is comprised of thousands
of scientists, engineers and researchers around the world dedicated to
discovering and developing the next-generation of Alcoa products,
processes and services. Alcoa's scientific community is connected
globally to research centers and universities in Russia, China, India,
Europe and the United States. Founded on the innovative spirit of
Charles Martin Hall and his patent that sparked the entire aluminum
industry, Alcoa has more than 2,600 active patents today. The company
also owns the world's largest light metals research and development
center, one of only two light metals R&D centers in the world. Alcoa
annually invests approximately 1% of its revenues in R&D, which is
helping to build a foundation for Alcoa's future.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary
aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in
all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace,
automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering,
production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers.
In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets
consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps,
Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other
businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and
electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has
123,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top
most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum
in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
