CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
25 May 2005
Implementation Investments
Intergraph and Alcoa World Alumina Sign Global Purchase Agreement; Standardization on PDS Helps Complete Multiple Projects Worldwide
Intergraph Corporation announced that Alcoa , the world's largest producer of alumina, has signed a global purchase agreement for the Intergraph Plant Design System (PDS®) and related software. Under terms of the five-year agreement, the Intergraph Process, Power & Marine division will supply PDS and other design software to Alcoa World Alumina for use by its engineering, construction and procurement contractors worldwide. The contract represents global standardization on PDS for all Alcoa's alumina process plant major projects. Implementation of PDS as the Alcoa global standard is aimed at promoting greater business advantage through worldwide design re-use, increased project efficiency, advanced best practices and greater efficiency in utilizing engineering and construction contractors.
Alcoa is using or planning to use PDS to design alumina plant construction worldwide. Efforts include major projects in Australia, such as the Pinjarra Efficiency Upgrade now in the construction phase and the Wagerup Unit 3 Expansion, currently in feasibility phase. The facilities are part of Alcoa's three-refinery operation in Western Australia, the world's largest single source of smelter-grade alumina, supplying nearly 15 percent of the international market. Additional Alcoa projects using PDS include the Jamalco, Jamaica, and Sao Luis, Brazil, refineries expansion studies (engineering underway). Alumina (aluminum oxide) is refined from bauxite and is smelted to produce aluminum.
Paul Buch, manager - Engineering & Maintenance Systems, Western Australian Operations, Alcoa World Alumina, said, "The purchase agreement with Intergraph is a natural extension of Alcoa's existing PDS installed base along with the fact PDS is the global standard for plant design. Standardizing on PDS will allow Alcoa to re-use optimal designs in our projects around the world, capitalize on our extensive PDS knowledge and better control engineering IT costs. Deciding factors included Intergraph's market and technology leadership as well as worldwide support at the local level."
Kevin Stanley, senior vice president, Intergraph Process, Power & Marine, said, "Alcoa drives much of the advanced mining and metals processing technology in Australia and around the world. The Alcoa purchase agreement is indicative of industry's continuing commitment to PDS by major plant owners and engineering firms with large, long-term projects."
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