Aug. 23, 2006 — Allegheny Technologies Inc. announced that ATI Allegheny Ludlum has received certification as a qualified producer under the NORSOK standards for certain flat-rolled products.

The NORSOK audit was performed by Oystein Strandmyr of Statoil and Dr. Torfinn Havn of Aker Kvaerner on August 3, 2006. AL2003^(TM) lean duplex stainless, AL2205^(TM) duplex stainless, and AL-6XN^(R) superaustenitic stainless steel in strip and plate product forms received NORSOK qualification under Standard M-650. ATI's titanium castings are also qualified under NORSOK Standard MDS T-02.

"We are pleased to receive NORSOK qualification as the only US metals company with this prestigious quality certification," said Patrick Hassey, Chairman, President and CEO of Allegheny Technologies. "The qualification of our specialty metals for welded pipe and tube provide new opportunities for ATI, particularly in the rapidly growing offshore oil and gas market. Our lean duplex, duplex, and 6-moly superaustenitic stainless alloys provide options for customers to select the optimum alloy for the application."

ATI notes that its proprietary AL2003 lean duplex stainless, which contains only about 3% nickel, is an excellent substitution for Type 316L stainless steel, which has become more expensive due to high and volatile raw materials surcharges. AL 2003 stainless is also stronger than 316L.

Allegheny Technologies Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified specialty metals producers in the world with revenues of $4.0 billion during the most recent four quarters ending June 30, 2006. ATI’s major markets include aerospace and defense, chemical process industry/oil and gas, electrical energy, medical, automotive, food equipment and appliance, machine and cutting tools, and construction and mining. Products include titanium and titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys and superalloys, stainless and specialty steels, zirconium, hafnium, and niobium, tungsten materials, grain-oriented silicon electrical steel and tool steels, and forgings and castings.