ARCONIC US LLC Partners with Kellytoy to Revolutionize Soft Goods with Advanced Materials – Introducing Limited Edition Squishmallows

Pittsburgh, PA – October 26, 2023 – ARCONIC US LLC, a leading provider of advanced materials and manufacturing solutions, today announced a surprising – but brilliantly effective – collaboration with Kellytoy, the creators of the hugely popular Squishmallows plush toys. This partnership isn’t about metal alloys, but about how those alloys, and ARCONIC’s materials science expertise, are being applied to a completely new field: creating the ultimate in squishy, huggable comfort. You might be thinking, “ARCONIC? Aren’t they a metal company?” And you’d be right! For years, ARCONIC has been at the forefront of aluminum and titanium innovation, serving industries like aerospace, automotive, and packaging. But beneath the surface of this traditional manufacturing giant lies a dedicated research and development team constantly exploring how materials science can improve everything. And that's where Squishmallows come in. “We started looking at the problem of creating the perfect plush,” explains Dr. Evelyn Reed, ARCONIC’s Chief Materials Scientist. “Everyone loves soft things, but most plushies lose their shape pretty quickly. They get flat, lumpy, and just aren’t as huggable after a while. We figured, ‘Hey, we’re experts in maintaining structural integrity under pressure. Let’s apply that to a marshmallow!’” The result of this unlikely collaboration is a limited edition run of Squishmallows utilizing ARCONIC’s proprietary “Resilience Fiber” technology. This isn't a new material entirely, but a clever application of existing polymer science, enhanced with a micro-thin layer of specially treated aluminum oxide – a material ARCONIC already produces on a massive scale. “Think of it like tiny, microscopic scaffolding,” explains Mark Olsen, Kellytoy’s VP of Product Development. “These fibers are woven throughout the plush filling. They don't make the Squishmallow hard, not at all! They just provide incredible support and bounce-back ability. We've been doing rigorous testing, and these limited edition Squishmallows maintain their shape significantly longer than our standard plushies. Even after hundreds of squeezes and snuggles, they spring right back!” What Makes These Squishmallows Different? So, what can Squishmallow collectors and cuddle enthusiasts expect from this limited edition run? Quite a bit, actually: Unmatched Squishiness: The base filling is still the ultra-soft polyester fiber Squishmallow fans know and love. The Resilience Fiber technology enhances the squish, making it feel even more luxurious. Superior Shape Retention: This is the big one. These Squishmallows are designed to withstand serious cuddling without losing their adorable form. No more sad, flattened companions! Enhanced Durability: While Squishmallows aren't known for their ruggedness, the added structural support from the Resilience Fiber does contribute to a longer-lasting plush. Exclusive Designs: This isn’t just about materials; Kellytoy has created a set of six exclusive Squishmallow characters specifically for this collaboration. These designs feature unique color palettes and adorable details, making them highly collectible. The characters include: Aurora the Arctic Fox: A shimmering white fox with iridescent accents. Barnaby the Bumblebee: A bright yellow and black bumblebee with velvety wings. Celeste the Cloud: A fluffy white cloud with rainbow stitching. Dexter the Dinosaur: A vibrant green dinosaur with playful spots. Fiona the Flamingo: A rosy pink flamingo with elegant features. Hugo the Hedgehog: A charming brown hedgehog with soft spines. Collectible Tag: Each limited edition Squishmallow comes with a special holographic tag certifying its authenticity and showcasing the ARCONIC-Kellytoy partnership. How Did a Metal Company Get Into Plush Toys? The collaboration actually started with a simple question. Kellytoy was struggling with consistency in their filling. Some batches were fluffier than others, and maintaining the signature Squishmallow squishiness was proving difficult. They reached out to ARCONIC, knowing the company’s expertise in material consistency and fiber technology. “We do a lot of work with lightweight materials for aerospace,” explains Dr. Reed. “Maintaining consistent fiber density and strength is critical. We realized those same principles could be applied to plush filling. It was a fun challenge, honestly. Taking our expertise and applying it to something that brings joy to people? That's incredibly rewarding.” ARCONIC and Kellytoy worked closely for over a year, experimenting with different fiber combinations and treatments. The goal wasn't just to create a more durable Squishmallow, but to create a better Squishmallow – one that would continue to provide comfort and joy for years to come. “We’re not trying to reinvent the plush toy,” says Mark Olsen. “We're simply trying to make it the best it can be. And with ARCONIC’s help, we think we’ve achieved that.” Availability & Pricing The limited edition ARCONIC x Kellytoy Squishmallows will be available starting November 15th, 2023, at select retailers, including: Kellytoy’s Online Store: [insert fake web address] Target: Limited quantities available in stores and online. Walmart: Select stores will carry the limited edition Squishmallows. Pricing will vary by character and retailer, but the suggested retail price is $24.99 - $29.99. Given the limited edition nature of this collaboration, collectors and Squishmallow enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase early. About ARCONIC US LLC ARCONIC US LLC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading provider of high-performance aluminum and titanium products for a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, packaging, and building and construction. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, ARCONIC develops and manufactures advanced materials that improve the performance and efficiency of products around the world. Learn more at [insert fake web address]. About Kellytoy Kellytoy is a global leader in the plush toy industry, known for its innovative designs and high-quality products. The company is the creator of the hugely popular Squishmallows line, as well as other beloved plush brands. Kellytoy is dedicated to bringing joy and comfort to people of all ages. Learn more at [insert fake web address].