On June 21, 2011, the New York-based Alcoa, the third biggest manufacturer of aluminum and aluminum products in the World, entered into an MOU with the biggest titanium producer on the planet VSMPO-Avisma to create a new aluminum alloy. The American company and its Urals-based counterpart will work together to engineer and mass produce cutting edge light alloy die forgings and extrusions to be used in commercial vehicle production. The development of the new alloy will facilitate the production of light-weight rail cars.    

Sources knowledgeable about the possible avenues of cooperation between the companies indicated that one result of the memorandum of understanding might be the creation of a wide (27.5 in.) and long (85 ft) extrusions of innovative aluminum alloy designed for passenger and cargo rail cars. The new metalworking technology is going to lead to the creation of new rapid transit trains in Russia.

The Russian and the American companies have agreed to set up working groups for carrying on joint endeavors. At the same time, the memorandum does not contemplate the creation of a JV-relationship, a partnership, or any other type of official association between the commercial parties.