"The acquisition of this facility advances our leadership position inpharmaceutical flexibles through growth in emerging markets," said IleneGordon, president and chief executive officer, Alcan Packaging.

The Chakan operations both expand Alcan Packaging's geographic footprintand strengthen the organisation's strategic presence in the Indianpharmaceutical market, which is currently ranked 14th in the world in terms ofscale and expected to triple over the next decade.

"Chakan is a well equipped plant with dynamic people and an asset basethat will definitely complement our current product portfolio," said MichaelSchmitt, president of Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging division. "Theexpertise with local pharmaceutical companies will be an excellent addition toour organisation, increasing our ability to service global and regionalcustomers while maintaining the high quality standards they have come toexpect from us."

With annual sales of US$3.6 million, the Chakan facility is adistinguished supplier to the Indian pharmaceutical market, with solidmanufacturing capabilities and management practices. Located 30 km north ofPune, the 2,600 m(2) plant employs approximately 100 people. Its integrationinto the Alcan Packaging group is expected to be completed early in 2009.

Alcan Packaging is a global leader in value-added specialty packaging. Itdelivers multi-material innovative solutions to customers around the world forthe food, pharmaceutical, beauty and tobacco markets. Alcan Packaging has 130facilities and 30,000 employees in 31 countries. Headquartered in Paris,France, it generated US$6.2 billion revenues in 2007.

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 TintoLimited, 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 NorthAmerica with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe andsouthern Africa.

SOURCE RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN