Alcoa′s 'Smog-Eating' Technology to Bolster Sustainability at New Electronics Recycling Hub in North Carolina

Reynobond® with EcoClean™ Installed at New Electronic Recyclers International Facility in Badin, N.C.

BADIN, N.C. -- (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Alcoa (NYSE: AA) unveiled one of the first commercial building installations of Reynobond® with EcoClean™, the architectural panel that cleans itself and the air around it, at the new Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) facility in Badin, N.C. The product is installed at ERI’s Southeast regional electronics recycling hub, which is expected to create up to 200 new jobs in central North Carolina.

"Sustainability is at the core of Alcoa’s practices and product design, and we’re excited about the completion of this unique installation in the Badin community," said Alcoa Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Kevin Anton. "As one of the first installations of EcoClean in North America, the ERI facility in Badin represents an exciting step forward for sustainable building design, making this new electronics recycling facility even more eco-friendly."

Introduced in 2011, EcoClean was developed by Alcoa scientists through a process that leverages patented HYDROTECT™ technology to apply a titanium dioxide coating, called EcoClean, to the pre-painted aluminum surface of Alcoa’s Reynobond architectural panels. The coating works with natural sunlight, acting as a catalyst to break down organic pollutants on its surface and in the air around it into harmless matter which is then washed away by rainwater. Ten thousand square feet of EcoClean has the smog removal power of approximately 80 trees, equivalent to offsetting the nitrogen oxide created by the pollution output of four cars per day.

"We look forward to bringing new "green-collar" jobs to North Carolina as we expand our network of e-waste facilities, and are excited to further our partnership with Alcoa through the installation of this revolutionary technology at the new Badin site," said John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of ERI. "This environmentally advanced building will positively impact the environment, aligning with our mission to reduce waste and enhance sustainability."

Alcoa is a minority investor in ERI, the largest U.S. recycler of electronics waste, and brings its expertise in recycling to the growing e-waste challenge. The partnership between the two organization aims to enhance the role of aluminum in creating more sustainable electronics. Through strategic investments in R&D, such as Reynobond® with EcoClean™, Alcoa and its partners are driving sustainable solutions for the building and construction industry.

For more information on this product and other innovations from Alcoa, visit www.EcoClean.com or www.alcoa.com.


About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 10 consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.



Media Contact:

Lori Lecker
412-553-3186
lori.lecker@alcoa.com