Norsk Titanium AS and Alcoa have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint technology and industrial cooperation program focused on 3-D printing.

"We're thrilled to deepen our relationship with Alcoa through this program, which is focused on advancing the global reach of our game-changing, 3D-printing Direct Metal Deposition technology," NTi President & Chief Executive Officer Warren M. Boley, Jr said.

"Through this cooperation program, we expect to build on our innovative technology capabilities by leveraging Alcoa's in-depth understanding of lightweight metal components, increase our offerings for aerospace and other end markets, and support our goal of delivering near-net-shape titanium components finished with minimal machining."

RTI International Metals, now Alcoa Titanium and Engineered Products, supplier of titanium for all three F-35 variants under a nine-year, $1 billion contract with Lockheed Martin, became a strategic investor in and minority owner of Norsk Titanium in July. NTi is now producing aerospace-grade titanium components with fourth-generation equipment.

Norsk Titanium said it expects to formally conclude the multi-year aviation certification process in the first quarter of 2016 and will begin producing titanium components for customer part qualification in 2016.

Norsk Titanium is headquartered in Norway and has a U.S. subsidiary.

"Through this joint cooperation program, we will bring together Alcoa's unmatched metallurgical know-how and deep aerospace industry relationships with Norsk Titanium's 3D-printing technologies to ultimately accelerate the introduction of advanced manufactured aerospace solutions," said Eric Roegner, president of Alcoa Titanium and Engineered Products.