OREANDA-NEWS. VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, included in Rostec State Corporation, and Alcoa will form a joint venture to produce semi-finished titanium and aluminum alloy products. The agreement of intent was signed by the General Director of Rostec State Corporation, VSMPO-AVISMA Chairman Sergei Chemezov and Alcoa Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld. This alliance of two global companies will enhance the output to meet growing needs of the aerospace industry.

The joint venture will produce semi-finished titanium and aluminum alloy products. Primarily, these are heavy die forgings, such as landing gear and forged wing components.

“We engage world’s major industrial corporations, which enables us to implement large-scale projects,” said the General Director of Rostec State Corporation, VSMPO-AVISMA Chairman Sergei Chemezov. “Partnership with Alcoa will facilitate increase in the efficiency of production and allow enhancement of the order portfolio. Thus, VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation will continue to implement the strategy of enhancement in the output of downstream products.”

The partners’ equity interest in the joint venture will be determined later. VSMPO-AVISMA will invest in acquisition of the equipment required to output titanium alloy products, attract orders, and use its competencies to produce die forgings with heavy presses.
"Technical and process capabilities of Alcoa in conjunction with the experience of our partner open wide prospects for development of titanium and aluminum production in Russia, and promotion of high-end products in the international market,” says Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairmen and CEO. “Aerospace enterprises are traditional consumers of Alcoa products, and we are glad that our joint project with VSMPO-AVISMA will allow to offer high-quality solutions to our cliants.”

Production will be deployed on the basis of the forging shop of Alcoa SMZ (Samara Metallurgical Plant) included into Alcoa structure. This shop has high-performance equipment, including vertical press with capacity of 75 ths tons, which is an equivalent of the press located in VSMPO-AVISMA.

Mikhail Voevodin, General Director of VSMPO-AVISMA, said, “This agreement will add to our current manufacturing capabilities, as the company gets access to unique forging equipment. This step enables us to increase our output and ensure the consistency of supply, allowing us to meet growing demand for our products from leading global aircraft manufacturers.”

According to the schedules, the production will be launched in 2.5 years. It will pass certification in accordance with the Russian and international standards, and the customers’ requirements.

“This manufacturing partnership will expand on our mutual and complementary strengths in making the largest and most advanced aerospace forgings in the world,” said Eric Roegner, Chief Operating Officer of Alcoa Investment Castings, Forgings and Extrusions.