1st South American Comp Plant

RNS Number:4051V
Alcan Inc
1 May 2002

Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



             Alcan to Open its First South American Composite Plant

Montreal, Canada - May 1, 2002 - Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSE: AL) today announced that
with the acquisition of Alcotex Tecnologia Industrial Ltda's facilities in
Camacari, Bahia State, Brazil, the Group is set to open its first South American
composite plant.

Following additional investment, this plant will become the newest production
site for Alcan's composite business. This initiative is part of Alcan's strategy
to grow this sector utilising its leading composites technology and expertise.

A new company, Alcan Composites Brasil S.A., has been established to oversee
this new activity, which will be a joint venture between Alcan Aluminio do
Brasil Ltda and the NJK Group of Brasil.

The plant is expected to begin producing Alcan's Alucobond(R) material by
mid-2002 with an eventual capacity of approximately 100,000 sq. meters per
month. The plant will primarily serve the markets of the Mercosur region
comprised of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

Alcan Composites is a global leader in specialty composites. Alucobond is an
aluminum composite material primarily used as exterior cladding panels on many
types of commercial building. This lightweight, strong and rigid material is
made with two sheets of .020" aluminum bonded to a thermoplastic core. The
finished material can be coated with a variety of state-of-the-art paint
finishes.

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum
and specialty packaging with 2001 revenues of US$12.6 billion. With world-class
operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and
specialty packaging, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers'
needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 48,000 people and has
operating facilities in 38 countries.



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Media Contact:      Marc Osborne

                    [phone]

                    John Gardner

                    [phone]

Investor Contact:   Serge Michaud

                    [phone]

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