Alcoa 1998 Annual Report Download - page 20

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18
Consumers will find 1998 Alcoa innovations in the
automobiles they drive, the planes they fly, the tractor
trailers delivering goods to their stores, the lighting
fixtures that brighten their way, the lithographic sheet
used to print their newspapers and magazines, and the
CDs their teenagers play and play and play. During
the year, Alcoa received 86 U.S. patents, the highest
number awarded since 1987. Alcoa pursues patent
protection in appropriate jurisdictions worldwide
and maintains as trade secrets many innovative
processes that provide competitive advantage.
In the Alcoa Business System, everyone in
the company is a potential innovator. Some
of their current projects:
A new alloy plate to help make
aircraft safer, more durable and more
reliable
Stunning embossed cans, now
starting to impact beer and soft
drink markets
Cloning of disease-resistant
trees to protect Australia’s
unique jarrah forest
A new grade of alumina
with significantly lower
surface area
100% closed-loop recycling
of coated aluminum
closures
A technology to
remove sulfur and
nitrogen compounds
from gasoline
•
•
•
•
•
•
In the Alcoa Business System,
everyone in the company is a
potential innovator.
Alcoa innovators
developed right, a
new grade of alumina
at the San Ciprián
refinery and, far right,
a new alloy plate for
aircraft like the F-16.
Technology
Thanks to creative
Alcoans: Above, exciting
new designs in embossed
cans and, left, regenerating
Australia’s jarrah forest.