1.17.2006 ET

(CSRwire) Montreal, Canada - Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) are pleased to announce the Call for Entries for the 2006 US$1 million Alcan Prize for Sustainability. The closing date for entries is midnight March 31, 2006 (GMT).

"Now in its third year, the Alcan Prize for Sustainability is widely recognized as an important catalyst in bringing together the business and NGO community to address social, economic, and environmental issues and how they relate to sustainability," said Travis Engen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcan Inc. "The Alcan Prize has already made a significant contribution to the work of the previous two winners, and I urge the NGO community to take advantage of this opportunity to promote sustainability around the world," he added.

The Alcan Prize is open to all not-for-profit, non-governmental, and civil society organizations, based anywhere in the world that are working to progress and advance the goals of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The Alcan Prize was created to recognize the not-for-profit sector for its contributions to global sustainability, and to underline the belief that all sectors of society must work together to achieve sustainable development.

To ensure the objectivity of the Alcan Prize, Alcan partnered with the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), which manages the application and selection process. IBLF promotes international leadership in responsible business to benefit business and society. Alcan does not have a voice on the assessment or adjudication panels.

Last year's Alcan Prize winner, announced on December 7, 2005, was the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services Pakistan (AKPBSP). In addition, the Adjudication Panel named five other NGOs as recipients of grants worth US$15,000 each, which allow a suitably qualified senior member of staff to participate in the one-year, part-time Postgraduate Certificate in Cross Sector Partnership accredited by the University of Cambridge.

Information on eligibility criteria and entry procedures for the 2006 Alcan Prize is available at http://www.alcanprizeforsustainability.com.

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging. 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 approximately 70,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions.


Media Contact:
Anik Michaud
Tel.: +1-514-848-8151
media.relations@alcan.com

Investor Contact:
Corey Copeland
Tel.: +1-514-848-8368
investor.relations@alcan.com

Alcan Prize for Sustainability Contact:
Leesa Muirhead
Tel: +44 7901 510 701
alcanprize@iblf.org

For more information please contact: