Allegheny Tech Announces Expansion

Allegheny Technologies Inc. announced a major expansion of its titanium production capabilities. These investments are aimed at significantly increasing ATI's capacity to produce titanium and titanium alloys used for aero-engine rotating parts, airframe applications and in other global markets. The expansion is expected to cost around $100 million and will be complete over the next 18 months.

Major strategic capital projects include:

Upgrading and restarting ATI's idled titanium sponge facility. ATI expects an annual production rate of 7.5 million pounds of titanium sponge from this facility beginning in the first half of 2006.

Constructing a third plasma arc melt cold-hearth furnace. ATI expects this new furnace to be qualified for production by late 2006.

-- Expanding high-value plate products capacity by 25 percent.

-- Continued upgrading of ATI's cold-rolling assets used in producing titanium sheet and strip products.

Also included in this titanium capability expansion is an approximate 25% increase across ATI's titanium production system, including increases in vacuum arc remelt capacity, electron beam cold hearth melting capacity, and forging reheat capacity.