BAIE D'URFE, March 2 -- Alcan Inc. announced today that it plans to create a world-class dedicated printing facility in Baie d'Urfe, Quebec to help optimize its North American packaging business and better meet its customers' needs. The decision follows the Company's November 25, 2004 announcement to create a contract packaging centre of excellence in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the United States. "This decision will enable Alcan to extend its service to its customers by ensuring increased flexibility and delivery turnaround time," said Christel Bories, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Packaging. "By optimizing our existing product mix and dedication in our plants, we will be able to better grow our packaging business overall," she added. Alcan Packaging's business group will move the printing processes from its Bethlehem site to its Baie d'Urfe facility. The move will create approximately 50 new jobs in various positions at Baie d'Urfe and is planned to be completed by the end of 2005. The Contract Packaging and Specialty Cartons Business Unit presently employs over 500 employees with manufacturing sites in Baie d'Urfe, Canada and in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania offering both folding carton and contract packaging services to the Canadian and the American pharmaceutical and personal care markets. 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, today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 73,000 people and has operating facilities in 56 countries and regions.