Asia PR News

MONTREAL, Feb. 27/CNW-AsiaNet/ –

Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) announced today that it has reached an agreement
to sell selected assets of its North American Packaging Plastic Bottle business
to Ball Corporation for US$180 million. The sale, which is subject to
compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976, is part of Alcan Packaging’s
ongoing refocusing of itsglobal activities on selected growth segments.

"With this sale, Alcan Packaging takes another significant step in our
continued strategy of focusing resources on markets where we enjoy scale and
leadership positions," said Christel Bories, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Alcan Packaging.

"We are confident that the bottle business assets to be sold will benefit
from new opportunities and realize their full growth potential with Ball, a
company recognized for its commitment to the segment," said Ilene Gordon,
President, Alcan Packaging Food Americas.

The assets to be sold include operations in Batavia, Illinois; Bellevue,
Ohio; Newark, California; and Brampton, Ontario. These operations employ
approximately 470 people. The sale does not include Alcan Packaging’s
pharmaceutical plastic bottle operations.

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in
aluminum and packaging. With world-class operations in primary aluminum,
fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace
applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, today’s Alcan is well
positioned to meet and exceed its customers’ needs for innovative solutions and
service. Alcan employs approximately 70,000 people and has operating facilities
in 55 countries and regions.

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. The Company cautions that, by their
nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and that the
Company’s results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in
such statements. Reference should be made to the most recent Form 10-Q for a
summary of major risk factors.

SOURCE: Alcan Inc.

CONTACT: Alcan Media Contacts:

Anik Michaud,
+1-514-848-8151,
media.relations@alcan.com;

Polly Moles,
+1-773-399-3696
polly.moles@alcan.com;

Alcan Investor Contact:

Corey Copeland,
+1-514-848-8368,
investor.relations@alcan.com;

Ball Corporation Contact:

Scott McCarty,
Tel.: 303-460-2103,
smccarty@ball.com

(AL. AL)