Alcan Packaging inaugurates flexible packaging plant in India

MONTREAL, June 4 /PRNewswire/ - Alcan Packaging, part of Rio Tinto Alcan,
officially inaugurated its newest flexible packaging plant, located in the
BHEL Industrial Park in Haridwar, Northern India. The ceremony was chaired by
Ilene Gordon, president and chief executive officer (CEO), Alcan Packaging.
"The dynamic Indian market represents an attractive opportunity for Alcan
Packaging's strategy of growth, and we are pleased to make this US$10 million
investment which establishes our manufacturing presence in the region to
better serve customers," said Ilene Gordon. "This also expands our presence in
emerging markets overall, which today represents approximately 20% of our
sales," she added.
The new site, announced in February 2007, currently employs 48 people and
is dedicated to producing high-value flexible packaging for the food and
personal care segments in India.
"The plant began production on schedule in April 2008 and is already
meeting our local and global customers' needs for high-quality packaging
solutions," said Jean-Paul Meausoone, President, Alcan Packaging Food Asia.
"We are pleased to be part of this thriving business community in Northern
India, and we look forward to growing together with customers and becoming
part of the local community as well."
Including the new plant in India, Alcan Packaging now operates 15 sites in
six countries, and employs approximately 6,000 people in Asia.
Alcan Packaging is a world leader in value-added specialty packaging. It
delivers multi-material, innovative packaging solutions to customers around
the world for the food, pharmaceutical, beauty and tobacco markets. Led by
Ilene Gordon, president and CEO, Alcan Packaging is headquartered in Paris,
France, with 128 facilities and 30,000 employees in 31 countries. It generated
US$6.2 billion in revenues in 2007. For more information, please visit
www.alcanpackaging.com.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK,
combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto
Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources.
Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium),
gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore.
Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North
America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and
southern Africa.
SOURCE RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN

Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Paris: Chrystele Ivins, +33-1-57-00-24-18,
chrystele.ivins@riotinto.com; Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada: Stefano
Bertolli, +1-514-848-8151, stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com; Alcan Packaging,
Paris: Colette Chauviere, +33-1-57-00-28-26, colette.chauviere@alcan.com;
Alcan Packaging - Asia: Jean-Paul Meausoone, president, +65 6410 0870,
jean-paul.meausoone@alcan.com; Website: www.riotinto.com/riotintoalcan