CHICAGO — Alcoa Inc.’s fastening systems unit has inked a new strategic agreement with Commercial Aircraft of China Ltd. (Comac).

The deal is expected to deepen Alcoa’s relationship with Comac and boost its presence in China’s growing aerospace market, the Pittsburgh-based aluminum producer said.

“This agreement establishes Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS) as a key partner with Comac in the development and production of its commercial C919 aircraft,” AFS president Vitaliy Rusakov said in a statement Jan. 28.

Alcoa has been supporting the requirements of the Chinese aerospace market since 2005, Rusakov said.

AFS expects to provide technical assistance to Comac in fastener and assembly tooling selection, joint design and quality system management. In return, Shanghai-based Comac will buy a “significant percentage” of its fasteners for initial production of the C919 from AFS, the company said.

Alcoa had previously established a technological cooperation agreement with Comac in 2009, the company said.