MEDIA RELEASE PR32085
Alcan Packaging Acquires Pharmaceutical Flexible Packaging Facility in India
PARIS, Oct. 6 /CNW–AsiaNet/
Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging - a division of Alcan Packaging, a
business unit of Rio Tinto Alcan - has acquired the Chakan flexible packaging
plant from Associated Capsules Private Limited
in India.
"The acquisition of this facility advances our leadership position in
pharmaceutical flexibles through growth in emerging markets," said Ilene Gordon,
president and chief executive officer, Alcan Packaging.
The Chakan operations both expand Alcan Packaging's geographic footprint and
strengthen the organisation's strategic presence in the Indian pharmaceutical
market, which is currently ranked 14th in the world in terms of scale and
expected to triple over the next decade.
"Chakan is a well equipped plant with dynamic people and an asset base that
will definitely complement our current product portfolio," said Michael Schmitt,
president of Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging division. "The expertise with
local pharmaceutical companies will be an excellent addition to our organisation,
increasing our ability to service global and regional customers while maintaining
the high quality standards they have come to expect from us."
With annual sales of US$3.6 million, the Chakan facility is a distinguished
supplier to the Indian pharmaceutical market, with solid
manufacturing capabilities and management practices. Located 30 km north of Pune,
the 2,600 m(2) plant employs approximately 100 people. Its integration into the
Alcan Packaging group is expected to be completed early in 2009.
Alcan Packaging is a global leader in value-added specialty packaging. It
delivers multi-material innovative solutions to customers around the world for
the food, pharmaceutical, beauty and tobacco markets. Alcan Packaging has 130
facilities 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 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.
SOURCE Rio Tinto Alcan
Contact: Alcan Packaging, Paris: Colette Chauvière,
+33 1 57 00 28 26, colette.chauviere(at)alcan.com; Alcan Packaging Global
Pharmaceutical: Josée Saint-Pierre, (514) 630-9420 x2271,
josée.saint-pierre(at)alcan.com; Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Paris:
Chrystele Ivins, +33 1 57 00 24 18, chrystele.ivins(at)alcan.com; Rio Tinto
Alcan Media Relations, Canada: Stefano Bertolli, (514) 848-8151,
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