Paris, France -- Alcan signed a three-year partnership agreement for 450,000 euros today with the association called "Centres de Beauté CEW France," which provides free Beauty Care Services in hospitals. The agreement is a tangible sign of Alcan's commitment to charitable initiatives, which are linked to sustainability.

During the signing ceremony, Christel Bories, a member of the Alcan Executive Committee and president and CEO of Alcan Packaging, had the following to say: "This is the first time that we have signed a partnership of this scope in France, and I am very pleased. It is a worthy cause that helps people who are hospitalized get through this difficult time in their lives."

According to Françoise Montenay, president of Centres de Beauté CEW France, "Alcan has committed itself for three years in a row. Thanks to its participation, we will be able to consolidate our efforts in existing centres while continuing to grow and to answer increasing requests from hospitals".

Founded in 1992, Centres de Beauté CEW France groups together women executives in the fields of beauty, from research to distribution. Its efforts are based on the belief that "Beauty isn't trivial: it helps improve people's lives."

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.

Rio Tinto Alcan

Rio Tinto Alcan

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.

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