Alcan Global Aerospace launches AIRWARE(TM), tomorrow's aircraft technology.
(euro)42.5M will be invested in Issoire and Voreppe sites (France)

PARIS, July 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Alcan Global Aerospace, Transportation and Industry (Alcan Global ATI), a business unit of Alcan Engineered Products (Rio Tinto Group) announces the launch of AIRWARE(TM), tomorrow's aircraft technology. AIRWARE(TM) is a comprehensive offer of complementary and high-performance Low Density Alloys, best suited to feature in all parts of the aircraft primary structure. AIRWARE(TM) represents a unique solution to the current challenges aircraft manufacturers are facing, allowing them to combine weight reduction with lower assembly and maintenance costs, and reduction of the overall environmental print.

Alcan Global ATI's goal is to make AIRWARE(TM) the solution of choice for major future aerospace programs. (euro)42.5 million will be therefore invested in the production site at Issoire and the R&D center at Voreppe, both located in France. While Issoire will be equipped with the very first industrial casthouse in the world capable to produce advanced Low Density Alloys (aluminum-lithium), the Voreppe R&D center's one will focus on developing new applications.

"With AIRWARE(TM), we turn a new page in the aerospace industry. By offering manufacturers a solution to lighten aircraft structures, cut assembly and maintenance costs while benefiting from aluminum infinite recyclability, we are demonstrating our commitment to innovate and meet our customers' needs", said Christophe Villemin, Alcan Global ATI President.

AIRWARE(TM)'s high technological content and value added make it perfectly suited for optimizing aircraft production processes. The use of Alcan advanced welding techniques combined with the introduction of recycling systems boosts AIRWARE(TM)'s performance, thereby increasing the aerospace industry's efficiency and reducing its overall environmental footprint. AIRWARE(TM) is 100% recyclable, can deliver 20% weight reductions for aircraft primary parts and guarantees longer heavy maintenance intervals, of up to at least 12 years.

"Major aircraft manufacturers have already chosen AIRWARE(TM) for their new program: Airbus for the A350-XWB and Bombardier for the CSeries. We are particularly proud to look into the future of the aerospace industry by offering the reliability and performance of our solutions", concluded Christophe Villemin.

About Alcan Global ATI

Alcan Global ATI employs some 3,500 people and has manufacturing plants in Europe and North America. A world leader in the production of aerospace plates, Alcan Global ATI provides its customers with its entire portfolio of advanced lightweight aluminum solutions. Thanks to its global R&D, manufacturing and commercial reach, Alcan Global ATI is able to build long-term supply and innovative technology partnerships with major aerospace leaders.

About Alcan Engineered Products

Alcan Engineered Products is a global sector leader strongly committed to developing innovative and value-added aluminum products for a broad range of civil and defense markets and applications, including aerospace, mass transportation, automotive, packaging, energy and construction. Backed by 11,000 employees located in 27 countries and a commercial presence in over 60 markets across Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, Alcan Engineered Products produces high performance materials in the areas of aluminum rolled products, extrusions and automotive parts, and cables. Alcan Engineered Products is headquartered in Paris, France.

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 aluminum, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (e.g. borax, titanium dioxide, salt and talc) and iron ore. While operations span the world, they are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

For further information: Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Europe: Eglantine Leroi, Tél. : [phone], [email protected]; Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada: Bryan Tucker, Tel: [phone], [email protected]; Alcan Global ATI: Laura Berneri, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Website: www.riotintoalcan.com