Alcan Continues Strategic Focus on core Packaging Activities

09/09/05 Alcan Inc. has announced two sales in its packaging group: Alcan Packaging Sutton Ltd. in the U.K. and the Italian Laffon plant. These divestments are part of an on-going review of its business to continue to focus on its core activities.

“Alcan’s strategy is to direct its investments to those areas in which it has a differentiated product offering,” said Christel Bories, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Packaging. “These transactions should give both companies the focused organization and support they need to grow in their respective markets,” she added.

Alcan Packaging Sutton Ltd. has been sold to the Impress Group, a leading international provider of metal packaging for food, seafood, paints and coatings, and aerosols. Alcan Packaging Sutton Ltd. employs 310 people at its Nottinghamshire site and is a major supplier of tinplate cans and ends to the U.K. pet food and food industry, and a major supplier of decorated tinplate containers. It has sales of approximately €60 million in 2004.

Located in Venegono, the Laffon plant has been sold to its General Manager, Luca Rossi. It employs 115 people and manufactures mass-market stock compacts (press powder packaging).

Terms of both transactions were not disclosed.