Alcan Inc. Announces New Organizational and Management Structure 2001/11/20

Highlights Alcan establishes Office of the President Richard Evans and Brian Sturgell appointed executive vice presidents and will constitute, with the CEO, the Office of the President Six Business Groups to drive Alcan's operational performance Emery LeBlanc and Henk van de Meent to retire MONTREAL, CANADA — Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSE: AL) announced today the formation of an Office of the President and the re-alignment of its operating management structure from four to six business groups in order to substantially raise Alcan's performance, strive to move closer to its markets and improve the Company's responsiveness. The Office of the President will include Alcan's President and CEO, Travis Engen, 57, and executive vice presidents Richard (Dick) Evans, 54, and Brian Sturgell, 52. "Dick and Brian will work closely with me as we strive to raise Alcan's performance to new levels," said Mr. Engen. "We will work together to maximize value, the governing objective of Alcan." Within the Office of the President, Dick Evans will work with the following three business groups: Primary Metal; Bauxite, Alumina and Specialty Chemicals; and Engineered Products and assist these businesses in identifying and addressing their highest value-at-stake issues. Brian Sturgell will have the same role with Rolled Products Americas and Asia; Rolled Products Europe; and Packaging. The Office of the President will be based at Alcan's Corporate Head Office in Montreal. "I am pleased that both Dick and Brian will join me to help develop the business," confirmed Mr. Engen. "Working with the Board of Directors and the other senior officers of Alcan, we will define the strategic direction, resource allocation and special initiatives that will propel Alcan in the coming years." In addition, ROBERT BALL, 55, is appointed executive vice president, Value-Added Business and Manufacturing Systems. Mr. Ball will be responsible for co-ordinating the development and implementation of critical business processes and models throughout Alcan. He will report to Brian Sturgell and will provide support and guidance to the Office of the President and the business group leaders. He will continue to be located in Zurich, Switzerland. The new operating management structure includes six business groups each led by a group president. The groups are based on businesses that are regional or global in scope, with the management emphasis on understanding the markets we serve, developing our operational capabilities and improving our performance. The following appointments are effective January 1, 2002: Cynthia Carroll, 45, will be president, Alcan Primary Metal Group. This group includes Alcan primary metal facilities and power generation installations worldwide. Michael Hanley, 36, will be president, Alcan Bauxite, Alumina & Specialty Chemicals Group. This group includes bauxite mines, alumina refineries as well as the specialty chemical businesses. Kurt Wolfensberger, 61, will be president of Alcan Engineered Products Group, which includes the wire and cable business currently part of Alcan Fabrication Americas and Asia. He will continue to head Alcan's global automotive businesses. Christopher Bark-Jones, 55, will be president of Alcan Rolled Products Europe. Armin Weinhold, 52, will be president of Alcan Packaging. This group includes food flexible and foil, pharmaceutical, cosmetics/personal care and specialty packaging applications. The president of Alcan Rolled Products Americas and Asia will be selected in the near future. In the interim, Brian Sturgell will continue to lead this business group. Emery LeBlanc, 60, president of Alcan's Primary Metal Group will retire on March 31, 2002 after 37 years of service as well as Henk van de Meent, 59, president, Alcan Packaging, on December 31, 2001 after 39 years of service with algroup and Alcan. "Emery and Henk have made a significant contribution to their respective business group over their long careers with the Company. They are exceptional business executives and they will be missed. On behalf of their colleagues, I extend our best wishes to them and to their families for continued health and happiness in their retirements," said Mr. Engen. Corporate Head Office The Corporate Head Office structure remains unchanged and will continue to focus on strategy development, governance, policy and compliance. The following senior functional executives will continue to report to the President and CEO: Geoffery Merszei, 50, executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer. Gaston Ouellet, 59, senior vice president, Human Resources. David McAusland, 47, senior vice president, Mergers and Acquisitions and Chief Legal Officer. Daniel Gagnier, 55, senior vice president, Corporate and External Affairs. These corporate functions are responsible for delivering the governance services and the shared services at both the corporate center and across all business groups and sectors. "The re-alignment of our management structure will enhance our ability to focus both our human and financial resources on the highest value-at-stake issues both within the various businesses as well as at the corporate level," said Travis Engen. "Our goals are ambitious but achievable with the human talent and the assets at our disposal." Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and specialty packaging with revenues of approximately US$13 billion. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 52,000 people and has operating facilities in 38 countries. -30- MEDIA CONTACT: Marc Osborne Tel.:+1 (514) 848-1342 INVESTMENT COMMUNITY CONTACT: Michael Hanley Tel.:+1 (514) 848-8368

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