Alcoa is planning to install a new manufacturing technology for aluminium and aluminium-lithium plates at its rolling mill in Davenport Works, Iowa, US, with an investment of $190m.
The proposed project is part of the company’s efforts to expand its product portfolio in the aerospace and industrial segments.
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Alcoa Aerospace Transportation & Industrial Products president Mark Vrablec said: "This project is a key driver for our continued growth in the aerospace plate market.
"New airplane designs feature thicker aluminum wing ribs, especially important to reinforce composite wings, and these enhancements will be possible with Alcoa thick plate products."
The ‘very thick plate stretcher’ technology is said to reduce stress into the plate thereby producing a component that can be processed and machined.
The aluminium and aluminium-lithium plates are used in various applications, including wing ribs and fuselage frames.
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By GlobalDataWork on the project is planned to commence in 2015 with first customer production scheduled to begin two years later.
Alcoa said that the project will enable Davenport Works plant to produce high-strength monolithic wing ribs.
Last month, the company said it anticipates global aerospace sales to rise by around 9% driven by demand for commercial and regional airliners.
Alcoa also opened a new facility in Lafayette, Indiana to produce aluminium-lithium components for next-generation aircraft.
