Aleris plans to supply Airbus operations through its state-of-the-art rolling mill being constructed in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, China, with aerospace plate by 2013. In June, the two companies signed a five-year contract at the Paris Air Show for Aleris to provide aluminum plate and sheet in a range of alloys to Airbus for its global programs.

The Aleris factory in China will produce rolled aluminum aerospace plate, heat-treated plate and non-heat treated plate. Construction of the US$300 million greenfield rolling mill is expected to be completed in 2012. The Zhenjiang plant is a joint venture of Aleris and Zhenjiang Dingsheng Aluminum Industries Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., named Aleris Dingsheng Aluminum (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd.

"We are pleased to be a key global supplier to Airbus and to support its development plans in China," said Steven J. Demetriou, Aleris chairman and chief executive officer.

About Aleris

Aleris is a privately-held, global leader in aluminum rolled products and extrusions, aluminum recycling and specification alloy production.  Headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, the company operates more than 40 production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.  For more information, visit www.aleris.com.

Contributed by Aleris