OREANDA-NEWS. Alcoa (NYSE: AA) today announced that its innovative products and transformation strategy are delivering strong sustainability results. The achievements are highlighted in Alcoa’s 2014 Sustainability Report.

Over the last year, the Company expanded its multi-material value-add portfolio and introduced innovations across its end markets enabling customers to produce more environmentally friendly products. Alcoa also continued to reshape its commodity business to become more globally competitive by closing and curtailing high-cost, less efficient facilities, reducing its overall emissions.

“Alcoa’s transformation is driving profitable growth, advancing sustainability and delivering innovative products to meet the demands of a more energy-efficient world,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “From trucks to cars to airplanes and beyond, our innovations in lightweight metals are increasingly being used by our customers and their consumers to create a more sustainable global society.”

The following are among the Company’s achievements highlighted in the 2014 Sustainability Report:

  • Alcoa Innovations Put Sustainable Products on the Fast Track: In 2014, Alcoa unveiled a jet engine first— the world’s first advanced aluminum alloy fan blade forging for Pratt & Whitney’s Hybrid-Metallic Fan Blade, which will help make Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower® engines lighter and more fuel efficient. In automotive, Alcoa’s breakthrough MicromillTM technology will enable the manufacture of automotive parts twice as formable and 30 percent lighter than parts made from high-strength steel, supporting the creation of lighter, more fuel efficient, safer and more stylish vehicles for the future. In commercial transportation, Alcoa’s new Ultra ONETM heavy-duty truck wheel is 47 percent lighter than a steel wheel of the same size and helps trucks increase payload and fuel efficiency.
  • Alcoa’s Environmental Footprint Continues to Shrink: Through energy-efficiency improvements, as well as closures and curtailments of less-efficient facilities, Alcoa reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million metric tons, or 6.8 percent, in 2014. For every metric ton of aluminum Alcoa makes today, it emits 25.9 percent less greenhouse gases than it did in 2005.
  • World-class Health and Safety Culture Delivers Results: The Company continued to invest in the safety, health, and well-being of its employees and their families. Regrettably, we suffered one contractor fatality during 2014. Alcoa’s days away, restricted, and transfer (DART) rate improved 8.3 percent from 2013. Wellness remained a key focus, with Alcoa being named the World’s Most Active Organization by the Global Corporate Challenge for the second consecutive year.

“The progress we continue to make demonstrates that we live our sustainability value every day, with a goal of leaving a positive impact everywhere we operate and in every market where we compete,” said Kevin McKnight, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Environment, Health, and Safety. “The people of Alcoa are dedicated not only to enhancing shareholder value, but also to advancing the world through Alcoa innovation, creativity, and passion.”