Additive manufacturing hub near Pittsburgh International lands another tenant

Neighborhood 91, the additive manufacturing hub in Findlay and Moon adjacent to Pittsburgh International Airport, has landed its third tenant, the powdered aluminum producer Rusal America. 

Rusal will join Wabtec Corp., the North Shore-based successor of the iconic Westinghouse Air Brake Co. that makes railroad parts, and Arencibia, a Lehigh County-based firm that recycles argon, helium and neon that’s used in the additive manufacturing processes, at Neighborhood 91.

“Rusal America’s commitment to Neighborhood 91 is another important step in the evolution of additive manufacturing at the Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus,” Paul Hoback, Pittsburgh International Airport’s chief development officer, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome Rusal America as the latest partner, further demonstrating the viability of Neighborhood 91 and the success of its ecosystem as a first-of-its-kind AM powerhouse.”

The Rye Brook, N.Y.-based company is a subsidiary of Moscow-based EN+ Group, the largest supplier of low-carbon aluminum that’s not produced in China.

“By enabling sustainable operations, Neighborhood 91 is an ideal location from which to expand our presence in the AM powders market without compromising on our core sustainability principles,” C. Brian Hesse, president and CEO of Rusal America, said in a statement.

The company didn’t signal when it would begin its operations at Neighborhood 91 or how many employees it would hire.

Adam Travis, Rusal’s additive manufacturing manager, said those decisions hadn’t been finalized.

The company decided to locate operations in Neighborhood 91 because of the development’s concept of providing a location where all of the aspects of the burgeoning industry can be in one place.

Travis called it “a very innovative idea.”

“It’s something we wanted to be a part of,” he said.

Additive manufacturing also is known as 3-D printing, and it’s a highly technical process that uses powdered aluminum, which Rusal produces, and Argon, which is recycled by Arencibia, to produce things like the railway parts that Wabtec makes.

Neighborhood 91 is located on 195 acres owned by the Allegheny County Airport Authority and is a joint venture of the airport and the University of Pittsburgh to serve as an additive manufacturing hub.

What’s happening is exactly what was intended at the site, said Chris Heck, president of the Airport Area Chamber of Commerce.

“When you talk about putting all of the pieces together, this is another component, and it’s great news,” Heck said. “An ecosystem truly is being formed here.”

He expects other companies involved in the burgeoning industry to take note and consider locating in the development.