11.08.2006 - 01:00pm ET

(CSRwire) Washington, D.C.- The World Environment Center's (WEC) Twenty-Third Annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development has been awarded to Alcan for its comprehensive integration of sustainability into its business decision making and operations.

The independent international Gold Medal Jury specifically noted Alcan's achievement in its Community Investment Program. Integrating sustainability into its business practices, the Community Investment Program was cited as an exemplary corporate philosophy producing long-term results.

"We are honoured to receive this prestigious award," said Dick Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Inc. "Sustainability has become an integral part of the way we do business, balancing economic, social and environmental objectives."

"Alcan's long-term economic, social and environmental partnerships combined with its evolving sustainable business model are setting an example for the industry" said Gold Medal Jury Chairman Dr. Joel Abrams, Professor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh.

The WEC Gold Medal Award will be presented to Alcan at the 23rd Gold Medal Presentation gala on Friday, May 11, 2007 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Mr. Evans will accept the award on behalf of the company and its employees.

The World Environment Center Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development was established in 1985 to recognize preeminent industry leadership initiatives and contributions to worldwide environmental excellence and sustainable development.

The WEC Gold Medal Jury is completely independent of the WEC and its programs, and is composed of international leaders from academia, government, industry and

World Environment Center non-governmental organizations. A complete list of Jury members, the Citation for the 2007 WEC Gold Medal Awardee, and a list of previous recipients are available at the WEC website: http://www.wec.org/wecgm.htm.

About Alcan

Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) is a leading global materials company, delivering high quality products and services worldwide. With world-class technology and operations in bauxite mining, alumina processing, primary metal smelting, power generation, aluminum fabrication, engineered solutions as well as flexible and specialty packaging, today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs. Alcan is represented by 65,000 employees in 61 countries and regions, and posted revenues of US$20.3 billion in 2005. The Company has featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index consecutively since 2003. For more information, please visit: www.alcan.com

About the World Environment Center

The World Environment Center (WEC) is an independent, not-for-profit, non-advocacy organization. Working with the private sector, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and academia, the WEC promotes sustainable development by encouraging leadership, improving health and safety practices worldwide, and fostering the efficient use of natural resources to protect the global environment. The WEC supports its mission through three central programs: the International Environment Forum (IEF); the WEC Gold Medal Award; and Capacity Building for the Environment programs. For more information about the WEC, please visit http://www.wec.org

Previous recipients of the WEC Gold Medal award are: ABN AMRO Bank (2006), Starbucks (2005), Johnson Controls Inc. (2004), Ricoh Group Ltd. (2003), CEMEX (2002), The Royal Dutch/Shell Group (2001), International Paper Company (2000), Eastman Kodak Company (1999), Philips Electronics N.V. (1998), Compaq Computer Corporation (1997), Alcoa (1996), Ciba-Geigy Limited (1995), S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (1994), Xerox Corporation (1993), Procter & Gamble Company (1992), Rohm & Haas Company (1991), IBM Corporation (1990), The Dow Chemical Company (1989), The BP Group (1988), E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company (1987), Exxon Corporation (1986) and 3M (1985).

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