Alcoa Wheels Become First Products in the Transportation Industry to Obtain Certification

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that its global line of wheel products is now Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM at the Silver level. Alcoa wheels are the first products in the transportation industry to receive certification from the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Program, recognizing Alcoa's environmentally sound production processes and the infinitely recyclable nature of aluminum.

The evaluation of Alcoa wheels was conducted by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a global sustainability consulting and product certification firm that developed the Cradle to Cradle® concept in 1995. This multi-attribute eco-label assesses products for safety to human and environmental health, design for future use cycles, and sustainable manufacturing processes. Products are evaluated for material health, material reutilization, renewable energy use, water stewardship and social responsibility.

"Sustainability is at the heart of Alcoa, our business practices and our products, and something in which we strive for excellence," said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products. "With an increased interest in sustainable solutions within the transportation industry, this certification is a landmark recognition of our efforts to ensure that each of our customers receives the safest and most environmentally-conscious products we can provide."

"An industry leader in sustainability, Alcoa has achieved Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Silver for a number of other products, including Alcoa primary aluminum and several products from its Kawneer architectural aluminum products and systems business," said Jay Bolus, Vice President of Technical Operations, MBDC. "This latest certification demonstrates that Alcoa wheel products are pioneering the way for more sustainable solutions within the transportation industry."

With an ever-growing focus on sustainable solutions, the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Product Program has become an important resource for companies like Alcoa to communicate their sustainability efforts. To date, MBDC has certified more than 425 products in various industries, and 125 companies worldwide have engaged in the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program.

Alcoa is the first aluminum company to have its products Cradle to CradleCertifiedCM by MBDC.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world's largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa's operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 10 consecutive years, and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.

About Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products

Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels, premium products such as Dura-Bright®, Dura-Flange®, LvL ONE® and M-Series™ medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation Products. It employs 1,500 people at 13 locations worldwide. More information can be found at www.alcoawheels.com.

About McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry

Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products (AWTP) worked closely with consulting firm McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) to collect data throughout the supply chain, assess all materials for impact to human and environmental health, and evaluate manufacturing processes for use of renewable energy, water stewardship, and social responsibility. MBDC is a consulting firm that regenerates economy, environment, and equity by helping organizations integrate the Cradle to Cradle® framework into their strategies, operations, and products. The Cradle to Cradle® design framework is outlined in the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. For more information visit www.mbdc.com. Cradle to Cradle® and C2C® are registered trademarks of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC. Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

Contacts:

Alcoa
Investor Contact
Kelly Pasterick, 212-836-2674
or
Media Contact
Alcoa Corporate Communications
Libby Archell, 212-836-2719
or
Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products
Sarah Factor, Marketing and Communications Lead, 216-641-4381