Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) has announced a strategic investment in ATI’s Flat-Rolled Products segment. With a total investment of $1.16 billion over four years, the program includes the development of a new advanced specialty metals hot-rolling and processing facility and the consolidation of the company’s Natrona, Pa., grain-oriented electrical steel meltshop into its Brackenridge, Pa., meltshop. ATI has tentatively chosen to locate the advanced specialty metals hot-rolling and processing facility, which will be designed to produce thinner and wider hot-rolled coils, at its Brackenridge site.

The new advanced specialty metals hot-rolling and processing facility, which is scheduled for completion in 2012, will roll and process exceptional-quality hot bands of up to 78.62 inches wide. The consolidation of ATI’s Natrona and Brackenridge meltshops, expected to be completed in 2010, is expected to improve the overall productivity of ATI’s flat-rolled grain-oriented electrical steel and other stainless and specialty alloys. The company said it will also result in significant reduction of particulate emissions.