Alcoa 2009 Annual Report Download - page 29

Alcoa has also moved from the R&D stage to “commercial scale” on its continuous cast-rolled micromill process. The
full width implementation at the San Antonio, Texas facility has been successful with coils delivered to the market. In
addition, a new process “Sequential Alloy Casting” has been developed and products are being validated by the
Department of Defense.
Leveraging of new technologies such as bio-mimicry, nano and low cost sensing continues to progress. For example,
riblets that reduce aerodynamic drag (sharkskin mimicry) have been analyzed and produced on a test basis. Self-
cleaning nano coatings have been demonstrated on building products. Energy saving sensing devices are being
integrated in company manufacturing plants. Integrated thermal management products for consumer electronics have
been developed and are being validated by our customers.
A number of products were commercialized in 2009 including Dura Bright®wheels for commercial transport
applications; new alloy products and advanced fasteners for Boeing 787; easy clean coatings for building products;
alloy 7085 for mold blocks; unique surface sheet for the consumer electronics market; lightweight, high-strength
applications for the defense market; and high performance products such as drill pipes for the oil and gas markets.
For the aerospace market, new multi-material technologies continue to be developed to effectively compete with
composites. Alcoa’s advanced aerospace alloys contributed to the successful operation of China’s first home-produced
regional jet, ARJ21-700.
The company currently has at least 60 new products in various development stages. As a result of product development
and technological advancement, the company continues to pursue patent protection in jurisdictions throughout the
world.
Environmental Matters
Information relating to environmental matters is included in the following sections of this report: Part II, Item 7.
(Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) under the caption
“Investing Activities—Environmental Matters” on page 67, Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements under the
caption “Environmental Matters” on page 82 and in Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption
“Environmental Matters” on pages 110-113.
Employees
Total worldwide employment at year-end 2009 was approximately 59,000 employees in 31 countries. About 37,000 of
these employees are represented by labor unions. The company believes that relations with its employees and any
applicable union representatives generally are good.
In the U.S., approximately 9,000 employees are represented by various labor unions. The master collective bargaining
agreement between Alcoa and the United Steelworkers, covering 10 locations and approximately 5,600 U.S.
employees, is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2010. The parties will negotiate in May with the intent of reaching a new
long-term agreement. To the extent a new long-term agreement is not reached, a work stoppage at some or all of the 10
locations could begin on June 1, 2010. There are 18 other collective bargaining agreements in the U.S. with varying
expiration dates. Various collective bargaining agreements with varying expiration dates cover about 12,000 employees
in Europe, 5,600 employees in Russia, 6,200 employees in Central and South America, 3,800 employees in Australia,
600 employees in China and 2,200 employees in Canada.
In 2009, Alcoa reduced worldwide headcount by approximately 28,000 as a result of temporary and permanent
reductions in force and various divestures. Alcoa has lifted the global hiring and salary freezes that it instituted in 2009.
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