ALCAN

Alcan to Acquire Food Packaging Plant in Poland

Alcan to Acquire Food Packaging Plant in Poland to Serve Growing Eastern European Markets

MONTREAL, Quebec, February 15/PRNewswire/ --

Alcan Inc. (NYSE: AL, TSX: AL) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the UK administrators of Parkside International, to acquire the assets of Parkside's flexible food packaging plant in Zlotow, Poland. This acquisition is a further step in Alcan Packaging's strategy of developing its geographic footprint in growing and competitive economies.

'Parkside Flexibles Poland has excellent plant infrastructure and equipment, as well as a well-trained workforce,' said Christel Bories, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Packaging. 'This acquisition will enable us to significantly increase our capability in the attractive Central and Eastern European markets, allowing us to develop a competitive industrial base, from which to better serve our existing and new customers,' she added.

The plant employs 150 people and has state-of-the art flexoprinting capabilities and room for expansion. The amount of the transaction has not been disclosed. This project is subject to the approval of Polish and German anti-trust authorities.

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging, as well as aluminum recycling. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs approximately 73,000 people and has operating facilities in 56 countries and regions.

Source: Alcan Inc

For further information: Media Contact: Colette Chauvière, +33-1-56-28-28-26, colette.chauviere@alcan.com; Anik Michaud,
+1-514-848-8151, media.relations@alcan.com; Investor Contact: Corey Copeland, +1-514-848-8368, investor.relations@alcan.com; To request a free copy of this organization's annual report, please go to http://www.newswire.ca and click on reports@cnw

16 feb 05 08:37