Alcan Packaging starts production trials at food packaging facility in the
Czech Republic

PARIS , France , Dec. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Alcan Packaging - a business unit of Rio Tinto - has started production trials in its new (euro)17 million packaging facility in Novy Bydzov, Czech Republic . The new plant, which will employ 110 people when in full production, is the fourth Alcan Packaging Food Europe plant located in Eastern Europe and produces printed flexible packaging for key food customers.

"This state-of-the-art facility is another important step in our strategy to follow our customers to the growth markets of Central and Eastern Europe ," said Michael Cronin , President, Alcan Packaging Food Europe . "The remarkable pace of our planning and project execution, moving in 17 months from decision to start up, clearly demonstrates our ability to respond rapidly to our customers' demands and requirements. Building on the success of the Skrivany plant, Novy Bydzov will also benefit from our network of Best Practice Transfer teams and our World Class Lean Six Sigma programme."

The new facility will focus primarily on the production and printing of high quality rotogravure flexible packaging. It will supply emerging food markets in Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Germanic and Nordic regions.

Alcan Packaging Food Europe is the European leader in flexible packaging for the food and beverages market, operating 31 plants in 18 countries. Headquartered in Paris , France , Alcan Packaging is a global leader in value-added specialty packaging. It delivers multi-material innovative solutions to customers around the world for the flexible food, pharmaceutical, beauty, and tobacco markets.

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 .

For further information: Alcan Packaging Food Europe: Lynne Quincey, [phone], Mobile: [phone], [email protected]; www.alcanpackagingfood.com, www.riotintoalcan.com