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Canada’s National Research Council and Rio Tinto Alcan are linking up in a C$3 million ($2.7 million) research project addressing the aluminum industry’s demand for more economical and ecologically friendly products.

The partnership will support innovation by accelerating the development of new products and meeting manufacturers’ technical-support needs to facilitate the use of extrusions and aluminum in ground transportation.

Etienne Jacques, chief operating officer-Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal, North America, says R&D is crucial to ensuring the performance and use of extruded products with a high added value and to remain competitive in the industry.

“The development of new extrusion skills will help us find new vehicle lightweighting solutions in the ground-transportation industry, such as cars, trains, trucks, recreational vehicles, coaches and city buses,” he says.

The council and the manufacturer say combining their R&D expertise in the 5-year partnership will result in eco-efficient aluminum products such as automotive bumpers, bus structures and truck-trailer floors and beams, at lower prices.

“The partnership will be recognized by North American manufacturers for its expertise, cutting-edge equipment and network of experts,” the council says in a statement.