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Alcoa is investing $22 million in Whitehall for Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) technology which strengthens the metallic structure of titanium, nickel and 3D-printed jet engine parts.

(Courtesy Photo | Business Wire))

WHITEHALL, MI - Alcoa Power and Propulsion's momentum in the aerospace industry took another giant leap on Tuesday, June 2.

Fewer than seven months after Alcoa announced a $16.7 million expansion to its facility in Whitehall, the lightweight, high-performance metals leader announced a $22 million investment in Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) technology at the location.

The Whitehall facility already serves as the global headquarters for Alcoa Power and Propulsion.

The investment will enable Alcoa to capture the growing demand for advanced titanium, nickel and 3D-printed parts for jet engines. The investment is expected to create approximately five new jobs at the Whitehall facility.

"As aerospace growth soars, Alcoa continues to invest in the latest technologies, creating added capacity to capture fast-growing demand," said Olivier Jarrault, executive VP and Alcoa Group president, engineered products and solutions, in a news release.

"Combined with our expansions in LaPorte, Indiana and Hampton, Virginia and our growing 3D printing capabilities, this investment will give Alcoa the broadest capabilities to deliver high-quality titanium, nickel and 3D-printed parts for the world's bestselling jet engines."

According to the news release, steep ramp-up rates for narrow-and-wide body aircraft engines, the top-selling jet engines in the world, are increasing Alcoa's need for such capabilities.

HIP involves the simultaneous application of high pressure and temperatures to significantly improve the mechanical properties and quality of cast products, such as blades and structures for jet engines. All titanium, 3D-printed and some nickel parts used for jet engines must be treated using the HIP process.

Alcoa already owns and operates one of the world's largest HIP technology complexes for aerospace thanks in large part to its Whitehall facility. The company's eight HIP production systems are already located in Whitehall; the first of which was installed in 1975 shortly after Alcoa pioneered the technology in the aviation industry in 1973.

Alcoa expects the new technology to be ready for product qualification in 2016. The Company expects a global aerospace sales growth of 9 to 10 percent in 2015 driven by strong deliveries across the large commercial aircraft, regional jet and business jet segment.

Alcoa Power and Propulsion is expected to generate $2.2 billion in revenues by 2016 as a result of its organic growth expansions, according to the news release.

Brandon Champion covers arts and entertainment, business, sports and weather for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at bchampio@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter @BrandonThaChamp.