At the moment Beijing shines in the global spotlight, the concept of a "Green City" is discussed widely, particularly the impact road transportation has on the environment and how the newly constructed sports venues integrate architecture and green technologies.

Alcoa, the world's leading manufacturer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, has supplied lightweight materials for traffic systems and the sports venues in Beijing, helping bring "Green City" concept to life in China.

Alcoa has worked closely with the Beijing Public Transport Company to provide 350 modern

forged aluminum alloy wheels for 50 clean electric buses. Aluminum wheels reduce the weight of each bus by about 275 pounds, improving fuel efficiency and reducing subsequent emissions.

Before they were put into use, Alcoa's aluminum alloy wheels passed road tests that proved their fuel economy.

As well, Alcoa and Yutong Bus Group have jointly developed new environmentally friendly buses that will be road tested this month. They use advanced technologies from Alcoa, including space-frame technology used in the Ferrari Gran Turismo and Audi A8, its Dura-Bright forged aluminum alloy wheels, aluminum side and roof panels, and Alcoa fasteners.

The new aluminum-intensive bus body is nearly 50 percent lighter than those made of steel. The successful application of advanced technology in road transportation helps Beijing fulfill its "Green City" goal with high-efficiency public transport.

As part of the company's building and construction system, Alcoa's architectural products are highly recommended by architects. Its Reynolux product is widely used in many newly built sports facilities thanks to its aesthetic appeal and exceptional weather resistance.

Some 1,200 tons of Reynolux coil coated aluminum sheet plates were used in the roofs of Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport. Nearly 100 tons went onto the roof of the National Indoor Stadium, venue of gymnastics and handball competitions, and more than 220 tons of Reynolux was used in the newly built sports center in Shenyang.

Long-term commitment

This year marks Alcoa's 15th year in the Chinese market, as well as the beginning of its new

era making the nation an important strategic market. In a letter to employees, Klaus Kleinfeld, global president and CEO of Alcoa, expressed his admiration for China and its success in hosting the massive international sports event.

"It is a great moment for China and gives the entire world a chance to see the tremendous progress the country has made modernizing its infrastructure, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and creating a more open, modern society," Kleinfeld said. "Having watched the spectacular ceremony at the Bird's Nest and the stirring opening moments of the US-China basketball game, I can only imagine the pride that the Chinese people feel seeing their country show its best face to the world," Kleinfeld said

"We now have a leadership team under Alcoa Asia President Chen Jinya that is Chinese through and through. Over the past 15 years, we have started 17 different operations in China, and have established a reputation for benchmark performances in the environment, health and safety, as well as a strong commitment to the communities where we operate."

"In addition, we have established long-term strategic partnerships such as the one with Chinalco and with business entities such as the China Business Council for Sustainable Development that have helped open the doors to trust."

Kleinfeld is full of confidence about the future. "With our new team in China, I am confident that we'll become an even more significant player in its aluminum industry. We are already the largest foreign investor in the Chinese aluminum industry and are getting ready to inaugurate one of the most sophisticated, hi-tech lithographic sheet lines in the world at our Bohai plant."

"We now have nearly 1,800 employees throughout the country who are helping us establish Alcoa's name in China and lay a foundation for profitable growth in this important strategic market," he added.

The success of Alcoa assisting steps toward a "Green City" in Beijing is a microcosm of the successful development of multinationals in China over the past two decades.

Innumerable opportunities in China sustain the belief of the world's top 500 companies that China is crucial to their long-term development.

"We firmly believe that China will continue its rapid progress. Alcoa will continue to establish closer cooperation and beneficial relations with our partners in China," Alcoa Asia President Chen Jinya said.

(China Daily August 25, 2008)