Rusal America to set up its new aluminium AM powder business at Pittsburgh Tech Centre

Rusal America is reportedly eyeing the additive manufacturing (AM) centre Neighborhood 91 at Pittsburgh International Airport Innovation Campus for its new aluminium AM powder business. The firm declared its move into the aluminium additive manufacturing powder segment in January 2021.

The subsidiary of Russian EN+ Group will use the facility for powder storage, together with other AM companies committed to the Neighborhood 91 concept.

“By enabling sustainable operations, Neighborhood 91 is an ideal location from which to expand our presence in the AM powders market without compromising on our core sustainability principles,” stated C. Brian Hesse, Rusal America president and CEO.

He also said, “We remain committed to enabling our customers to play a vital role in the sustainability value chain and to playing an active role in the innovation ecosystem at Neighborhood 91 in the years ahead.”

Paul Hoback, the airport authority’s chief development officer, praised Rusal’s commitment to Neighborhood 91 as “another important step in the evolution of Additive Manufacturing.” He whole-heartedly welcomed Rusal America as the latest partner, expecting further demonstration of the viability of Neighborhood 91 and success of its ecosystem as a first-of-its-kind AM powerhouse.

The other major tenant to commit to Neighborhood 91 is Lehigh County-based Arencibia, which already signed a letter of intent to build a new plant to supply and recycle argon and gases used in the Additive Manufacturing process.

En+ Group, based in Moscow, claims itself the biggest and lowest-cost producer of aluminium outside China and also one of the largest clean energy businesses in the world. It expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all its business platforms by at least 35 per cent by 2030 and achieve zero net by 2050.