NEW YORK & NEW HAVEN, Conn.–In support of Yale University’s campus-wide sustainability initiative,
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) has donated 130 of its lightweight,
environmentally-friendly Dura-Bright® aluminum wheels for use on campus
transit vehicles. Yale will study and report to Alcoa on the
environmental effects of the wheels as part of its commitment to using
its campus as a living laboratory for sustainability research.
The conversion of Yale’s shuttle buses and vans from current steel
wheels to Alcoa aluminum Dura-Bright wheels is expected to save the
fleet of 30 vehicles nearly 1,000 gallons of fuel and reduce CO2 output
by 10 metric tons per year. In addition, the no-polish, easy-rinse
Dura-Bright wheels will help Yale save on fleet maintenance costs.
Installation of the new wheels began this summer and will continue over
the course of the next 18 months. Alcoa Foundation has also donated
funds to cover environmentally sensitive disposal of the existing steel
wheels.
“Aluminum is the most sustainable material for transportation,” said
Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld. “No other
material offers the combination of high strength, low weight, and
recyclability that aluminum provides. Alcoa is proud to be working
closely with Yale to maximize the university’s sustainability
initiatives.”
Building on a long history of research and engagement with environmental
issues, Yale established a dedicated Office of Sustainability in 2005.
Soon after, University President Richard Levin committed to reducing
Yale’s greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent below 2005 levels by the
year 2020. In addition to improving the campus transit fleet, strategies
include a combination of increasing the efficiency of on-campus energy
production and distribution, energy conservation, on-site renewable
energy resources, and sustainable standards for new construction and
large renovations.
Alcoa approaches its commitment to corporate sustainability through
three lenses – products, resources and operations. In addition to
developing products that improve fuel efficiency, the company is
committed to growing its businesses in a sustainable way by focusing on
product development and innovation that capitalizes on the inherent and
coveted qualities of aluminum including its infinite recyclability.
Aluminum in use in the world’s transportation fleet today is saving 300
million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually through reduced
fuel consumption. Alcoa has been recognized for its leadership in
sustainability by being named to the Dow Jones Sustainability index for
nine consecutive years and as one of the most sustainable corporations
in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
To learn more about Alcoa, its sustainability commitment, and aluminum
forged wheels, visit www.alcoa.com
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated
aluminum and 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 eight consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland,
Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets
with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum
wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products,
niche products such as Dura-Bright® and Dura-Flange® wheels and
M-Series™ medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum
components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions:
Transportation Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive
Wheels. It employs 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.