History of Alcoa in Timeline

Alcoa Corporation is a prominent American industrial corporation, recognized as the world's eighth-largest aluminum producer. Operating in 10 countries, Alcoa is a key player in the aluminum industry, involved in all major aspects, including technology, mining, refining, smelting, fabricating, and recycling. The company produces primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum, and alumina, maintaining a significant presence across the entire aluminum value chain.

1901: Mining Operations in Bauxite, AR

In 1901, Alcoa operated mining operations in Bauxite, AR.

1902: Expansion in New Kensington

By 1902, New Kensington consisted of 173,000 sq. feet on 15 acres with 276 employees.

1902: Opening of Massena West Plant

In 1902, Alcoa's Massena West plant began continuous operation, making it the longest-operating smelter in the United States.

1902: New Kensington Complex Expansion

In 1902, New Kensington had 31 buildings in the complex housing six departments (tubes, sheets, rods, bar and wire, extrusion, jobbing, foil) and two subsidiaries (Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company and Aluminum Seal Company).

1903: Sole Legal Supplier of Aluminum in the US

By 1903, Alcoa was the only legal supplier of aluminum in the United States after settling with Hall's former employer and while its patents were in force.

1903: Massena, New York Plant Online

In 1903, a plant in Massena, New York came online.

January 1, 1907: Name Change to "The Aluminum Company of America"

On January 1, 1907, the firm's new name became "The Aluminum Company of America".

1907: Creation of "Company Town" of Pine Grove, New York

In 1907, Alcoa created the "company town" of Pine Grove, New York, for workers outside Massena.

1907: Name Change

In 1907, the Pittsburgh Reduction Company officially changed its name to the Aluminum Company of America.

1910: Davis Named Company President

In 1910, Davis was named company president, and the acronym "Alcoa" was coined.

1911: Alcoa, Tennessee Plant Online

In 1911, a plant in Alcoa, Tennessee came online.

1914: Hall's Death

In 1914, Hall remained a vice president until he died.

1915: Additional Plants Came Online

By 1915, Edgewater, New Jersey and Badin, North Carolina plants came online.

1917: Start of Alcoa smelting plant in Badin

In 1917, Alcoa opened a smelting plant in Badin, North Carolina.

1917: Alcoa Steamship Company Formed

In 1917, the Alcoa Steamship Company was formed as a subsidiary of ALCOA.

1923: Use of Horizontal Extrusion Presses

By 1923, Alcoa's New Kensington, Pennsylvania plant was using horizontal extrusion presses, with preheated billets, for aerospace and construction applications.

1925: Renaming of Northern Aluminum Company to ALCAN

In 1925, the Northern Aluminum Company in Quebec was renamed the Aluminum Company of Canada (ALCAN).

1928: Davis Named Chairman of the Board

In 1928, Davis was named chairman of Alcoa's board of directors.

1938: Justice Department Charged Alcoa with Illegal Monopolization

In 1938, the Justice Department charged Alcoa with illegal monopolization and demanded that the company be dissolved.

1942: Sinking of SS Alcoa Puritan

In 1942, during World War II, a German U-Boat sank the SS Alcoa Puritan, which was carrying a load of bauxite ore.

1953: Alcoa Sponsors See It Now

In 1953, Alcoa is portrayed as the main sponsor of the CBS program See It Now.

1955: The Alcoa Hour TV Series Premieres

In 1955, Alcoa sponsored The Alcoa Hour, an anthology television series on NBC. The series would feature an advertisement for Alcoa products before the credits of each program.

1957: Alcoa Theatre Premieres

Between 1957 and 1960, the Alcoa-sponsored Alcoa Theatre, an NBC anthology television series that went on to win three Emmys.

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1957: The Alcoa Hour Continues

In 1957, Alcoa continued to sponsor The Alcoa Hour on NBC. The series ran for 48 episodes across two seasons and featured the early work of director Sidney Lumet.

1959: Formation of Alcoa Minerals of Jamaica

In 1959, Alcoa formed the Alcoa Minerals of Jamaica subsidiary on the island.

1960: Alcoa Theatre Emmy win

Between 1957 and 1960, the Alcoa-sponsored Alcoa Theatre, an NBC anthology television series that went on to win three Emmys.

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1961: Alcoa Premiere Premieres

From 1961 to 1963, Alcoa sponsored a third anthology television series on ABC. Alcoa Premiere was hosted by Fred Astaire and received 14 Emmy nominations during its two-year run.

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1963: Alcoa Premiere Ends

From 1961 to 1963, Alcoa sponsored a third anthology television series on ABC. Alcoa Premiere was hosted by Fred Astaire and received 14 Emmy nominations during its two-year run.

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1963: First Shipment of Bauxite from Jamaica

In 1963, Alcoa shipped their first load of bauxite from Rocky Point, Jamaica.

1972: Establishment of Alumina Refinery in Jamaica

In 1972, Alcoa established a 500,000 tonne per year refinery in Jamaica that processes bauxite into alumina.

1987: Paul O'Neill Becomes CEO

After Paul O'Neill became Alcoa's CEO in 1987, Alcoa became one of the safest companies in the world, despite the aluminum industry's inherent risks.

1988: Jamaican Government Gained Share in Subsidiary

In 1988, the Jamaican government gained a 50% share in the subsidiary and renamed the operation to Jamalco, with Alcoa being the managing partner.

1998: Acquisition of Alumax

In 1998, Alcoa acquired Alumax in a cash and share deal for $2.8 billion, also assuming $1 billion in debt. Alumax's assets included the Eastalco aluminum smelter, the Intalco aluminum smelter, and the Kawneer brand of building construction products.

December 31, 1998: EPA Issued Superfund Order

On December 31, 1998, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Superfund Unilateral Order requiring Alcoa to excavate, treat and dispose of the contaminated wetlands sediments at York Oil federal Superfund site.

February 1999: PCB and Lead Contamination Cleanup at York Oil Superfund Site

In February 1999, Alcoa cleaned soils and sediment contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and lead at the York Oil federal Superfund site in Moira, New York, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency. The site was a former waste oil recycling storage facility, and Alcoa was required to excavate, treat, and dispose of the contaminated wetlands sediments.

1999: Alcoa Adopted as Official Corporate Name

In 1999, Alcoa was adopted as the official corporate name of the company.

2000: Acquisition of Reynolds Metals Co.

In 2000, Alcoa acquired Reynolds Metals Co. in an all-share deal for $4.5 billion. As a result, Alcoa was required to sell Reynolds's 25% interest in a Washington smelter and all of Reynolds's alumina refineries, including interests in refineries in Australia, Germany, and Texas. Alcoa also sold Reynolds's construction and distribution business and the company's $400 million transportation business.

2000: Purchase of Cordant Technologies Inc.

In 2000, Alcoa purchased Cordant Technologies Inc. for $57 a share in cash, or $2.3 billion, and assumed $685 million of Cordant's debt for a total transaction value of $2.9 billion. Cordant's divisions included Huck Fasteners, Jacobson Mfg. Co., Continental/Midland Group, its 85% interest in Howmet International Inc., and Thiokol Corporation.

2000: Merger results in Massena East plant

In 2000, The Reynolds Aluminum Plant became Massena East when the companies merged.

2001: Purchase of Stake in Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco)

In 2001, Alcoa purchased an 8% stake of Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco). They attempted to form a strategic alliance, but were unsuccessful.

2001: Sale of Thiokol to Alliant Techsystems (ATK)

In 2001, Alcoa sold Thiokol for $2.9 billion to Alliant Techsystems (ATK).

January 3, 2003: Alcoa Opens New Operations Headquarters

On January 3, 2003, Alcoa opened its new operations headquarters on the North Shore of Pittsburgh after donating its 50-year-old skyscraper headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh to the Regional Development Authority.

April 2003: Settlement to Install New Coal-Fired Power Plant

In April 2003, Alcoa Inc. agreed to spend an estimated $330 million to install a new coal-fired power plant with state-of-the-art pollution controls to eliminate the vast majority of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions from the power plant at Alcoa's aluminum production facility in Rockdale, Texas. Alcoa was unlawfully operating at the Rockdale facility since it overhauled the Rockdale power plant without installing necessary pollution controls and without first obtaining proper permits required by "New Source Review" program of the Clean Air Act.

May 2003: Closure of Volta Aluminum Company in Ghana

The Volta Aluminum Company, Alcoa's affiliate in Ghana, was completely closed starting in May 2003 due to electricity supply issues. The company remained closed until early 2006.

2004: Sale of Specialty Chemicals Business

In 2004, Alcoa's specialty chemicals business was sold to two private equity firms led by Rhône Group for an enterprise value of $342 million, which included the assumption of debt and other unfunded obligations. Rhône Group then changed the name to Almatis, Inc.

2005: Alcoa Acquires Production Facilities in Russia

In 2005, Alcoa acquired two major production facilities in Russia, located in Samara and Belaya Kalitva.

2005: Airborne Pollutants Emission

In 2005, Alcoa emitted 13 million pounds of airborne pollutants.

2005: Construction of Alcoa Fjarðaál Begins

In 2005, Alcoa started construction on Alcoa Fjarðaál in Iceland, its first greenfield smelter in over 20 years. This project was met with criticism due to a controversial dam project supplying electricity to the smelter.

2005: Inclusion in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices

In 2005, Alcoa was again included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and was named as one of the top three most sustainable corporations in the world by Corporate Knights and Innovest Strategic Value Advisors at the World Economic Forum meeting.

2005: Alcoa Sponsorship Portrayed in "Good Night, and Good Luck"

In George Clooney's Academy Award–nominated 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck, Alcoa is portrayed as the main sponsor of the 1953 CBS program See It Now.

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November 21, 2006: Alcoa Announces Closure of Waunarlwydd Works

On November 21, 2006, Alcoa announced the planned closure of the Waunarlwydd works in Swansea, resulting in the loss of 298 jobs.

2006: Volta Aluminum Company Reopens

Alcoa's affiliate in Ghana, the Volta Aluminum Company, which was completely closed between May 2003 and early 2006, reopened due to resolution of problems with its electricity supply.

2006: Alcoa and Iceland Sign Smelter Feasibility Agreement

In 2006, Alcoa and the government of Iceland signed an agreement to instigate a thorough feasibility study for a new 250,000 tpy smelter in Bakki by Húsavík in Northern Iceland.

2006: Relocation of Top Executives to New York City

In 2006, Alcoa relocated its top executives from Pittsburgh to New York City while its operational headquarters was still at its Corporate Center in Pittsburgh.

January 27, 2007: Production Ceases at Swansea Plant

On January 27, 2007, production officially ceased at Alcoa's Swansea plant.

May 2007: Hostile Takeover Bid for Alcan

In May 2007, Alcoa Inc. made a US$27 billion hostile takeover bid for Alcan in an attempt to form the world's largest aluminum producer.

June 2007: Completion of Alcoa Fjarðaál Smelter

In June 2007, Alcoa completed the Fjarðaál smelter in eastern Iceland. The smelter was brought into full operation the following April and processes 940 tons of aluminum a day, with a capacity of 346,000 metric tons a year.

July 2007: Withdrawal of Alcan Takeover Bid

In July 2007, Alcoa withdrew its hostile takeover bid for Alcan after Alcan announced a friendly takeover by Rio Tinto.

September 12, 2007: Sale of Stake in Chalco

On September 12, 2007, Alcoa sold their stake in Chalco for around $2 billion.

2007: Alcoa Increased Ownership of Jamalco

Expansion of the operation in 2007 resulted in Alcoa owning 55% of the Jamalco operation in Jamaica.

2007: End of Alcoa smelting plant in Badin

In 2007, Alcoa ended its smelting plant in Badin, North Carolina.

May 8, 2008: Klaus Kleinfeld Appointed CEO

On May 8, 2008, Klaus Kleinfeld was appointed CEO of Alcoa, succeeding Alain Belda.

2008: Sale of Packaging and Consumer Business

In 2008, Alcoa sold its packaging and consumer business, formerly called Reynolds Metals, to the Rank Group for $2.7 billion.

2008: Wagerup Expansion Plans Delayed

In 2008, Alcoa's Wagerup expansion plans were delayed due to the financial crisis.

2008: Ranked Among Top Corporations Emitting Airborne Pollutants

In 2008, the Political Economy Research Institute ranked Alcoa 15th among corporations emitting airborne pollutants in the United States, based on the quantity (13 million pounds in 2005) and toxicity of the emissions.

December 31, 2008: Site Closure Team Completes Work

On December 31, 2008, the small site closure team at Alcoa's Swansea plant completed their work. Alcoa retained ownership of the site, which was renamed Westfield Industrial Park and managed locally.

April 23, 2010: Kleinfeld Selected as Chairman

On April 23, 2010, Alcoa's board of directors selected Kleinfeld to the office of chairman, following Belda's planned retirement.

June 2010: Production Curtailed at Fusina Smelter

In June 2010, Alcoa curtailed production at its Fusina primary aluminum smelter in Venice, Italy, before permanently closing it in June 2013.

October 2011: Proposed Smelter Project Dropped

In October 2011, Alcoa dropped its proposed smelter project in Bakki, Iceland because "the power availability and proposed pricing would not support an aluminum smelter".

July 16, 2012: Full Ownership of Evermore Recycling

On July 16, 2012, Alcoa announced that it would take over full ownership and operation of Evermore Recycling and make it part of Alcoa's Global Packaging group.

June 2013: Permanent Closure of Fusina Smelter

In June 2013, Alcoa announced it would permanently close its Fusina primary aluminum smelter in Venice, Italy, where production had been curtailed since June 2010.

January 9, 2014: Settlement Over Bribing Bahraini Officials

On January 9, 2014, Alcoa settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice over charges of bribing Bahraini officials. They paid the SEC $175 million to settle the charges, and AWA pleaded guilty to violating the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, paying the DoJ $223 million.

August 2014: Point Henry Smelter Closure Scheduled

In August 2014, Alcoa was scheduled to close the Point Henry smelter in Victoria.

2014: Reduced Emissions

In 2014, Alcoa reduced their airborne pollutants emissions to less than 5 million pounds.

June 2016: Announced Plans to Split into Two Companies

In June 2016, Alcoa Inc. announced plans to split itself into two companies: Alcoa Inc would be renamed as Arconic and would take over the business of designing and building processed metal parts, primarily for the automotive and aerospace industries; a new company, Alcoa Corporation, would be set up and spun out of the remainder of Alcoa Inc. and retain the Alcoa name. Alcoa Corp. would continue the mining, smelting, and refining of raw aluminum. The split was completed on November 1, 2016.

November 1, 2016: Split into Two Entities

On November 1, 2016, Alcoa Inc. split into two separate entities. One was named Alcoa Corporation which focused on the mining and manufacture of raw aluminum, and the other was Arconic Inc., which processes aluminum and other metals.

February 1, 2017: Sale of Yadkin Hydroelectric Project

On February 1, 2017, Alcoa sold the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project to Cube Hydro. Alcoa had operated a hydroelectric power operation there since closing its smelting plant in 2007.

September 1, 2017: Headquarters Moved Back to Pittsburgh

Effective September 1, 2017, Alcoa moved its headquarters back to Pittsburgh as part of a general consolidation of administrative facilities around the world.

October 2018: Planned Move to Downtown Pittsburgh

In October 2018, Alcoa announced plans to move from Pittsburgh's North Shore to a downtown Pittsburgh location.

2020: Pollution ranking Drop

Based on 2020 data, Alcoa's pollution ranking dropped to 72nd.

2021: Alcoa Sells Portion of Warrick County Facility to Kaiser Aluminum

In 2021, Alcoa retained the aluminum smelter and generating station in Warrick County, Indiana, but sold the cast house, ingot facilities, hot mill, cold mills, and finishing mills to Kaiser Aluminum.

2022: Alcoa Lobbying for Sanctions Against Russian Aluminum

In 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Alcoa spent over $1 million to lobby the U.S. government for sanctions against Russian aluminum companies.

January 2024: Alcoa to Cease Alumina Production at Kwinana Refinery

In January 2024, Alcoa announced it would cease alumina production at its Kwinana refinery that year.

February 2024: Alcoa Announces Acquisition of Alumina

In February 2024, Alcoa announced it would acquire Alumina for $2.2 billion in an all-stock deal. As part of the deal Alcoa would gain full ownership of AWAC. The acquisition was completed in August.