1886

Charles Martin Hall Discovers the Smelting Process

Working with his sister Julia in a shed attached to the family home in Oberlin, Ohio, chemistry student Charles Martin Hall discovers a way to produce aluminum through electrolysis that drastically reduces its cost. Around the same time, the same process is discovered by chemist Paul T. Héroult of France, and it comes to be known as the Hall-Héroult Process. Today, the Hall-Héroult Process is the one method by which every aluminum producer in the world operates.

1888

The Pittsburgh Reduction Company

In Pittsburgh, Alcoa founder Charles Martin Hall finds experienced, hard-working visionary backers (led by Captain Alfred E. Hunt) for his aluminum reduction (electrolysis) discovery. The company is first incorporated as The Pittsburgh Reduction Company and opens a pilot production facility on Smallman Street. That company went on to be known as Alcoa.

1888

The Pittsburgh Reduction Company

In Pittsburgh, Alcoa founder Charles Martin Hall finds experienced, hard-working visionary backers (led by Captain Alfred E. Hunt) for his aluminum reduction (electrolysis) discovery. The company is first incorporated as The Pittsburgh Reduction Company and opens a pilot production facility on Smallman Street. That company went on to be known as Alcoa.

1891

New Kensington: Cradle of Aluminum Innovation

As demand for the new metal grows, Alcoa moves its operations from Pittsburgh to nearby New Kensington, where it scales up to produce aluminum ingots as well as fabricated aluminum products.

1895

The Aluminum Teakettle

The Pittsburgh Reduction Company, eager to open new applications and enter new markets, enters the home cookware market with light, sturdy, no-rust teakettles.

1895

The Aluminum Teakettle

The Pittsburgh Reduction Company, eager to open new applications and enter new markets, enters the home cookware market with light, sturdy, no-rust teakettles.

1903

Alcoa Aluminum Gives Flight to Wright Brothers Invention

The world’s first flying machine is powered by an aluminum heart made from Alcoa’s new metal. To save weight, the engine block and crankcase of the Wright Brothers' historic "Flyer" are cast from aluminum supplied by The Pittsburgh Reduction Company.

1910

Alcoa Introduces Aluminum Foil

Since launching the industry, Alcoan innovations have changed how we live. The introduction of foil revolutionized modern homes. Reflecting heat and keeping foods cooler and fresher, Alcoa introduces aluminum foil to America.

1910

Alcoa Introduces Aluminum Foil

Since launching the industry, Alcoan innovations have changed how we live. The introduction of foil revolutionized modern homes. Reflecting heat and keeping foods cooler and fresher, Alcoa introduces aluminum foil to America.

1916

First Aerospace Alloy

Alcoa's first aerospace alloy, 2017-T4, is a critical material for building the historic USS Shenandoah rigid airship. A century later, 2017-T4 is still used for aircraft sheet and plate. More than 90% of all alloys currently used in the aerospace industry were developed by Alcoa research.

1925

A Public Company

Alcoa's common stock is listed on the New York Curb Exchange, forerunner of the American Stock Exchange.

1925

A Public Company

Alcoa's common stock is listed on the New York Curb Exchange, forerunner of the American Stock Exchange.

1930

The World’s First Aluminum Research Laboratory

On a hill overlooking the Allegheny River and Alcoa's production facility along its banks in Pittsburgh, the company builds a campus-like facility dedicated to finding new aluminum applications, testing its performance and improving production processes.

1952

First Aluminum-Sheathed High-Rise Building

Featuring an all-aluminum exterior and many other innovative architectural elements, the Alcoa Building in Downtown Pittsburgh is completed. It will serve as the company’s headquarters for more than 40 years. It also ushers in a new era of high-rise buildings clad in Alcoa aluminum.

1952

Alcoa Creates its Philanthropic Organization, Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa charters a new development organization: Alcoa Foundation. The Foundation will play a significant role in strengthening sustainability in Alcoa communities worldwide. Since 1952, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $700 million in Alcoa communities and is one of the largest corporate foundations in the United States. Learn more about the Foundation.

1952

Alcoa Creates its Philanthropic Organization, Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa charters a new development organization: Alcoa Foundation. The Foundation will play a significant role in strengthening sustainability in Alcoa communities worldwide. Since 1952, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $700 million in Alcoa communities and is one of the largest corporate foundations in the United States. Learn more about the Foundation.

1962

The Can Opener Becomes Extinct

Alcoa works with the Pittsburgh Brewing Company to introduce easy-open aluminum pull tabs on cans of Pittsburgh Brewing's Iron City beer. Today, because of innovations like the pull tab, and because of aluminum's recyclability, the canned beverage market is virtually 100% aluminum.

1969

Into Space

From the beginning of the U.S. space program, Alcoa alloys and propellants help make many space milestones possible, from the first manned flight and the first moon landing to the 1980s Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs.

1969

Into Space

From the beginning of the U.S. space program, Alcoa alloys and propellants help make many space milestones possible, from the first manned flight and the first moon landing to the 1980s Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs.

1979

Alcoa Recycling is Born

Alcoa Recycling Company is incorporated to support the company’s goal of enhancing sustainability by increasing its recycling activity. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and recycling uses 95% less energy than it takes to make aluminum from raw ore.

1987

A relentless focus on safety

Led by legendary CEO Paul O’Neill, Alcoa launches best-in-class safety effort aimed at zero workplace injuries. During Mr. O’Neill’s 13-year tenure at Alcoa, the number of lost work days per 100 employees fell to 0.2 from 1.86. The statistics refers to days lost due to workplace injury or illness.

1987

A relentless focus on safety

Led by legendary CEO Paul O’Neill, Alcoa launches best-in-class safety effort aimed at zero workplace injuries. During Mr. O’Neill’s 13-year tenure at Alcoa, the number of lost work days per 100 employees fell to 0.2 from 1.86. The statistics refers to days lost due to workplace injury or illness.

1994

The First All-Aluminum Automobile

With Audi's all-aluminum A8, aluminum reaches its full potential to reduce weight, reduce emissions and boost performance. The A8's breakthrough is an all-aluminum space frame, designed and built with manufacturing techniques developed by Alcoa.

1998

Alcoa Officially Becomes “Alcoa”

Known officially since 1907 as The Aluminum Company of America, the company decides it's time for a name that reflects its status as a global company. The choice for the new official name is an easy one: "Alcoa," the well-known and popular short name coined first in 1910 as the name of a company town in Tennessee.

1998

Alcoa Officially Becomes “Alcoa”

Known officially since 1907 as The Aluminum Company of America, the company decides it's time for a name that reflects its status as a global company. The choice for the new official name is an easy one: "Alcoa," the well-known and popular short name coined first in 1910 as the name of a company town in Tennessee.

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2001

Alcoa Selected as a Component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Alcoa is selected as a component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, one of the most highly recognized and long-standing global sustainability indexes. Today, Alcoa is part of both the World and North American DJSI Indexes.

2001

Alcoa Selected as a Component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Alcoa is selected as a component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, one of the most highly recognized and long-standing global sustainability indexes. Today, Alcoa is part of both the World and North American DJSI Indexes.

2004

Alcoa and Pittsburgh Brewing’s Iron City Beer Debut First Aluminum Bottle

Alcoa works with Pittsburgh Brewing's iconic Iron City Beer brand to launch the first aluminum bottle to the North American beer industry. Aluminum bottles are unbreakable, keep beer colder longer, look better and recycle better than glass containers.

2016

Alcoa Separates into Two Independent Companies, Alcoa and Arconic

After 128 years of operating as a vertically integrated company, Alcoa separates its mining/refining/smelting and power businesses (retaining the name "Alcoa") from its fabrication businesses that became known as "Arconic."

Pittsburgh Becomes Alcoa’s Global Headquarters

Alcoa moved its global headquarters and principal executive office to its existing office location in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Becomes Alcoa’s Global Headquarters

Alcoa moved its global headquarters and principal executive office to its existing office location in Pittsburgh.

2018

World’s First Carbon-Free Smelting Technology

Alcoa forms a joint venture known as ELYSIS® to commercialize a revolutionary smelting technology that Alcoa invented that eliminates all greenhouse gas emissions, instead producing pure oxygen.

2019

Alcoa joins the International Council of Mining and Metals

Alcoa accepted as a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), an organization focused on enhancing the industry’s contribution to society with safe, fair and sustainable practices.

2019

Alcoa joins the International Council of Mining and Metals

Alcoa accepted as a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), an organization focused on enhancing the industry’s contribution to society with safe, fair and sustainable practices.

2020

The First Low-Carbon Alumina Brand

Alcoa expands the Sustana® line of products with the introduction of EcoSource®, the industry’s first low-carbon, smelter-grade alumina brand. During the same year, Alcoa gains approval to globally market and sell sustainably produced products with certifications from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.

2021

Alcoa Supplies Sustainable, Low-Carbon Aluminum for Wheels on the e-tron GT

Audi is the first to use metal from our revolutionary technology that eliminates all direct carbon dioxide emissions from the traditional smelting process.

2021

Alcoa Supplies Sustainable, Low-Carbon Aluminum for Wheels on the e-tron GT

Audi is the first to use metal from our revolutionary technology that eliminates all direct carbon dioxide emissions from the traditional smelting process.

2021

Alcoa’s Ambition to Achieve Net-Zero GHG

Alcoa announced an ambition to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its global operations by 2050.

2022

Alcoa Commissions New Brazilian Processing Facility

Alcoa successfully completes the installation of press filtration technology for bauxite residue at its Poços de Caldas refinery in Brazil. This technology reduces carbon emissions, due to the lower use of disposal area, lower water accumulation and, consequently, lower energy consumption utilized for bauxite residue management.

2022

Alcoa Commissions New Brazilian Processing Facility

Alcoa successfully completes the installation of press filtration technology for bauxite residue at its Poços de Caldas refinery in Brazil. This technology reduces carbon emissions, due to the lower use of disposal area, lower water accumulation and, consequently, lower energy consumption utilized for bauxite residue management.

2022

Apple Announces Usage of ELYSIS® Zero-Carbon Aluminum in the iPhone SE

ELYSIS aluminum is produced and sold at industrial scale for the first time, representing a major milestone in advancing the ELYSIS technology invented by Alcoa.

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