Alcan Signs Joint Venture Agreement for Greenfield Hot Rolling Mill in China

12/09/2007 00:53



PR Newswire



PARIS, September 11 /PRNewswire/ --

- Plant to Produce Advanced Heat-Treated Plates for Aerospace and General Engineering Markets
PARIS, September 11 /PRNewswire/ --
Alcan today signed a joint venture agreement with Dingsheng Aluminium, a privately owned Chinese foil producer, to set up a greenfield facility in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, in China. Alcan is the majority partner in the project. The new world-class facility will produce heat-treated aluminum plates for the fast growing aerospace and general engineering markets.

"Today's signing marks a major milestone in Alcan Engineered Products' continued expansion into the Chinese market. This is a major project that will reinforce our leadership position in the growing aluminum plate market and as a global leader in providing innovative solutions to our key customers. We are very appreciative of the support of the Jiangsu province, and are confident that this new joint venture will be a success," said Christel Bories, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcan Engineered Products.

"This new state-of-the-art facility underscores Alcan's position as a key supplier of innovative aluminum products for the rapidly expanding aerospace and general engineering markets," said Jean-Philippe Caël, President of Alcan's Aerospace, Transportation and Industry group.

The facility, which is subject to approval by the Central Chinese Government and will also require final approval by Alcan's Board, will produce aluminum plates with advanced patented alloys and will strengthen Alcan's position in the heat-treated plate markets, specifically in the aerospace sector where these plates are used in the wings and fuselages of airplanes. The new facility will also serve the general engineering markets; including, equipment for semi-conductors, home appliances, and plastic injection molds to produce automotive parts.

Alcan Inc. (NYSE: AL, TSX: AL) is a leading global materials company, delivering high quality products and services worldwide. With world-class technology and operations in bauxite mining, alumina processing, primary metal smelting, power generation, aluminum fabrication, engineered solutions as well as flexible and specialty packaging today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs. Alcan is represented by 68,000 employees, including its joint-ventures, in 61 countries and regions, and posted revenues of US$23.6 billion in 2006. The Company has featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes consecutively since 2003. For more information, please visit: http://www.alcan.com.

Statements made in this press release which describe the Company's intentions, expectations or predictions may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty; the Company's actual results or actions could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Reference should be made to the Company's latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a summary of factors that could cause such differences.

%B NM %C 1,4,18,20,22 %D ATI China Investment
For further information: Media Contact: Chrystèle Ivins, +33-1-57-00-24-18, chrystele.ivins@alcan.com; Anik Michaud, +1-514-848-8151, Media.relations@alcan.com; Investor Contact: Ulf Quellmann, +1-514-848-8368, investor.relations@alcan.com