Alcan inaugurates a high technology furnace in Sierre, Switzerland

Sierre, Switzerland /CNW Telbec/ — Alcan Engineered Products
today inaugurated a technologically advanced horizontal furnace at the
Company’s Aerospace, Transportation and Industry division’s (ATI) Sierre
facility in Switzerland. The new CHF 13 million (US$ 10.5 million) furnace is
now operational and will support ATI’s worldwide recognized know-how in the
heat treated aluminum plate market.

Christel Bories, President and CEO of Alcan Engineered Products, stated:
"I am pleased to participate in the inauguration of this new furnace. This new
equipment reinforces our leadership position in the heat treated aluminum
plate market and contributes to Engineered Products' growth strategy. It also
demonstrates that leading edge technology can comply with the strictest
environmental criteria of our industry. The increased capacity from the new
furnace will also create 23 additional jobs, demonstrating Alcan’s commitment
to the Valais region," she added.

"The additional capacity will allow Alcan to meet growing demand from the
expanding industrial plate market. With this new furnace, our facility in
Sierre will reinforce its position as a centre of excellence for the
production of heat-treated aluminium plates for various applications in the
industry market," said Jean-Philippe Cael, President of Alcan’s Aerospace,
Transportation and Industry.

The new furnace will increase Sierre’s capacity and will be used in the
production of a wide range of precision plates requiring outstanding surface
quality and superior technical characteristics. It is also an example of
Alcan’s commitment to sustainability as the new furnace exceeds the industry’s
most demanding environmental criteria. The equipment does not emit any
greenhouse gases. Its electric power consumption is four times lower than that
of old generation furnaces, and a closed circulation system limits the
furnace’s yearly water consumption to less than that of five households.

Alcan Inc. (NYSE, 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 2002. For more information, please
visit: www.alcan.com.