Alcoa 2003 Annual Report Download - page 19

Innovations
Bags to Go
Presto®Products, an Alcoa Consumer
Products business, introduced EcoSafe®
trash bags that degrade naturally in the
waste stream. Using an additive developed
by Canada-based Environmental Products,
Presto tested the new bags extensively to
ensure that the environmental benefits
were true and that the product would
meet customer expectations. Over time,
the bags are reduced to a food source for
microorganisms, leaving no toxic or
harmful residues.
Aerospace Initiative Continues
The U.S. Air Force awarded Alcoa a
$35.5 million contract for continuation of
the Advanced Aluminum Aerostructures
Initiative. The program, begun in 2001,
aims to apply Alcoa’s design methodol-
ogies for low-cost aluminum structures
to aerospace platforms. An Alcoa-led
team, which includes Boeing® , Lockheed
Martin® , and Northrop Grumman® , will
develop aerostructures on seven to ten
key military airframes, with the first pro-
totype expected to be flight-tested in
early 2004. The Air Force has projected
cost savings of more than $800 million.
New Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Ferrari®of Italy selected Alcoa as the sole
provider for the aluminum spaceframe
of the Ferrari®612 Scaglietti®sports car
that initiates the automaker’s new,
12-cylinder model line. Alcoa first began
working with Ferrari in 1994 to develop
an aluminum-structured vehicle. To date,
Alcoa has supplied more than 12,000
frames for the 360 Modena® , recognized
today as one of the best-performing
sports cars in the world.
Instant Delivery
Working closely with Ice River Springs
Water Co., a major Canadian water-
bottling customer, CSI completed the first
North American installation of a closure
manufacturing line inside a customer
facility. This unique nine-month project
enabled Ice River to eliminate shipping
costs and enhance customer service.
Hot New Wheels for Harley
Alcoa Forged Wheels & Engineered
Products continued its close relationship
with Harley-Davidson® , whose limited
production 2004 Screamin’ Eagle®Softail®
Deuce™and Screamin’ Eagle®Electra
Glide®cycles are equipped with Alcoa
Detonator™aluminum wheels. Four sizes
of the wheel are available to all authorized
dealers. Harley-Davidson also released
the new, one-piece Road Winder™
premium chrome wheel, forged from
Alcoa 6061 aluminum. Distribution of
the new wheel began with shipment
of a 16-inch sample Road Winder to
every U.S. Harley-Davidson dealer.
Customer
Tomahawk Work Expands
Alcoa Howmet Castings doubled its
participation in the U.S. Navy’s Tactical
Tomahawk missile program from two
to four major castings, and Howmet
customer Klune Industries added nose
and payload parts. Key factors in expand-
ing the order were reduced machining
requirements and consolidation of
engineering and administrative costs.
Lamborghini Goes Aluminum
The Gallardo™ , introduced in 2003, is
the first Lamborghini®car designed and
engineered by Audi® . Following the Audi
philosophy, its structure is primarily
aluminum. Alcoa provided prototypes
in 2002, and Alcoa businesses supply
aluminum components.
A Better Bolt
Alcoa Fastening Systems introduced the
SPLINE-LOK™Eddie-Bolt® 2 for aero-
space applications. The new design is
easier to install, well suited for composite
materials, and is compatible with a wide
range of new and existing military and
commercial aircraft.
Cool Packaging
Igloo Products, known for the innovative
design of its coolers, introduced Igloo®
PopArt®beverage coolers in shrink sleeves
from Alcoa Flexible Packaging to the
U.S. market. PopArt is the first personal
beverage cooler line to incorporate cus-
tomized design and graphics using PVC
shrink-sleeve technology. Five different
label designs are featured, including three
developed specifically for Target stores.
This packaging is the first application of
shrink sleeves to beverage coolers.
2003
17
Tony Cust, Anglesea,
Victoria, Australia
Sandorfi Antal, Székesfehérvár, Hungary
Silvia de la Torre,
San Ciprián, Spain