Alcan Inaugurates a High Technology Furnace in Sierre, Switzerland
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SIERRE, Switzerland, October 3/ - New Furnace Strengthens Sierre Plant's Leading Position in the Heat Treated Aluminum Plate Market
Alcan Engineered Products today inaugurated a technologically advanced horizontal furnace at the Company's Aerospace, Transportation and Industry division's (ATI) Sierre facility in Switzerland. The new CHF 13 million (US$
10.5 million) furnace is now operational and will support ATI's worldwide recognized know-how in the heat treated aluminum plate market.
Christel Bories, President and CEO of Alcan Engineered Products, stated:
"I am pleased to participate in the inauguration of this new furnace. This new equipment reinforces our leadership position in the heat treated aluminum plate market and contributes to Engineered Products' growth strategy. It also demonstrates that leading edge technology can comply with the strictest environmental criteria of our industry. The increased capacity from the new furnace will also create 23 additional jobs, demonstrating Alcan's commitment to the Valais region," she added.
"The additional capacity will allow Alcan to meet growing demand from the
expanding industrial plate market. With this new furnace, our facility in
Sierre will reinforce its position as a centre of excellence for the
production of heat-treated aluminium plates for various applications in the
industry market," said Jean-Philippe Cael, President of Alcan's Aerospace,
Transportation and Industry.
The new furnace will increase Sierre's capacity and will be used in the
production of a wide range of precision plates requiring outstanding surface
quality and superior technical characteristics. It is also an example of
Alcan's commitment to sustainability as the new furnace exceeds the
industry's most demanding environmental criteria. The equipment does not emit
any greenhouse gases. Its electric power consumption is four times lower
than that of old generation furnaces, and a closed circulation system
limits the furnace's yearly water consumption to less than that of five
households.
Alcan Inc. (NYSE: AL ; 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 68,000
employees, including its joint-ventures, in 61 countries and regions, and
posted revenues of US$23.6 billion in 2006. The Company has featured on the
Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes consecutively since 2002. For more
information, please visit: www.alcan.com.
Source: Alcan Inc.
For further information: Media Contact: Chrystle Ivins, +33-1-57-00-24-18, Chrystele.ivins@alcan.com
