Allegheny's New Forging Project Set for North Carolina

Allegheny Technologies Inc. chose Allvac plant in Bakers, NC, for the planned, $215-million expansion, first announced in late January. The project will increase forging capacity for nickel-based superalloys and titanium. ATI aims to serve a growing demand from aerospace and defense industry customers for jet-engine and airframe components, as well as customers in the energy, medical, chemical process, and oil and gas industries.

Specifically, the expansion is comprised of three projects:
- A new forging operation, to be in production by the third quarter of 2009, featuring a 10,000-ton press, a 700-mm rotary forge, and conditioning, finishing, and inspection equipment. Each of the two will be the largest of their kind for the alloys they'll process, according to ATI statements.
- More plasma-arc melting capacity for titanium alloys. A fourth PAM furnace will be installed by late 2008.
- More vacuum-arc remelting capacity for nickel-based superalloys and titanium. One new VAR will start up in early 2008, and four more will be added as demand indicates.

The project also will include billet conditioning and finishing equipment.

North Carolina is supplying a $300,000 grant for the project. ATI expects the project to be completed by late 2009.