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New, Sleeker Samsung Smartphone Built Stronger with Alcoa's Aerospace-Grade Aluminum

AA | June 4, 2015

Lightweight metals leader Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today announced that it is supplying a high-strength, aerospace-grade aluminum to Samsung for its latest smartphones —the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. This marks the first time the global electronic giant will use an aluminum frame for its Galaxy S flagship model. The Company’s aerospace-grade aluminum, 6013 Alcoa Power Plate™, is 70 percent stronger than standard aluminum used in similar devices, creating a thinner, lighter, sleeker design.

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Alcoa is supplying high-strength, aerospace-grade aluminum to Samsung for its new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones. Alcoa Power Plate is 70 percent stronger than standard aluminum used in similar devices, creating a thinner, lighter, sleeker design. (Photo: Business Wire)

“When we designed the metal framed Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, it was important to find a strong yet light metal that would create a device capable of exciting our customers,” said DJ Koh, CTO and Executive Vice President of Mobile Communication Business at Samsung Electronics. ”Alcoa’s Power Plate is the perfect fit to create the phones that our customers want: thinner, lighter, and stronger.”

Smartphones with metal frames are expected to grow almost 250 percent¹ by 2016 from 2014, creating stronger demand for aluminum to protect mobile devices. Developed by Alcoa Technical Center scientists, innovators in metal science, the Alcoa Power Plate aerospace-grade aluminum combines advanced strength and corrosion resistance for products that require superior durability.

”Alcoa’s Power Plate has been battle tested across aerospace, automotive and military uses, proving it can withstand the heavy use and tough treatment endured by mobile devices,” said Ray Kilmer, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Alcoa. “Samsung’s leading designers wanted to develop a thinner, sleeker device without sacrificing durability. Innovating with Samsung, Alcoa’s metallurgists identified a solution that gives the Galaxy one of the strongest and most durable aluminum bodies available on the market.”

Samsung Galaxy S6 phones with Alcoa Power Plate are now available globally.

Alcoa’s innovative technologies for the consumer electronics market support the Company’s broader strategy to grow its value-add portfolio. Other Alcoa consumer electronics solutions include ProStrength™, a proprietary surface finishing technology also using aerospace-grade aluminum for thinner, lighter and stronger mobile devices.

About the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge

Beautifully crafted from metal and glass, Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge redefine what's next in mobility, with a timeless design and the most advanced features. Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge offer the most advanced camera functionality including high resolution sensors, super bright F1.9 lenses, embedded Auto Real-time HDR, Smart OIS, and much more. They are also equipped with fast charging technology and embedded wireless charging compatible with virtually any wireless charging pad in the market.

About Alcoa

A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our approximately 59,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.

Forward Looking Statement

This release contains statements that relate to future events and as such constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date of this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding growth opportunities for aluminum in consumer electronics applications, including smartphones, the expected advantages of advanced aluminum alloys and technologies, and statements about Alcoa’s outlook, strategies and business and financial prospects. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors and are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include: (a) material adverse changes in aluminum industry conditions; (b) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Alcoa, including the consumer electronics market; (c) the possibility that certain assumptions regarding Alcoa’s products or technologies could prove to be inaccurate; (d) failure to advance or successfully implement, or to realized expected benefits from, new technologies or innovative products, including, without limitation, aerospace-grade aluminum or other advanced alloys or technologies, such as the 6013 Power Plate^TM technology, ProStrength^TM finishing technology, or ColorKast™ die cast technology, whether due to changes in the regulatory environment, competitive developments, changes in consumer preferences, or other factors; (e) the business or financial condition of key customers, suppliers, and business partners; and (f) the other risk factors discussed in Alcoa’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alcoa disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

¹ Source: Hana Securities, Korea. March 2015.