Alcan gets $750 million in pacts for aluminum auto components

Alcan Engineered & Automotive Solutions, part of Alcan Engineered Products – a business unit of Rio Tinto – is becoming a key player in the growing market for greener car components, having been awarded a total US$750 million worth of multi-year contracts over the past 12 months for its innovative, lightweight aluminum solutions.

"These contracts with several leading original equipment manufacturers, in both premium and mass production markets, represent significant market share gains for our business," said Christel Bories, president and CEO, Alcan Engineered Products. "As a result of our growth strategy of focusing on select markets over the last three years, we are becoming the preferred development and production supplier of advanced lightweight solutions during a high-growth period for these products."

Alcan Engineered & Automotive Solutions has been awarded more development projects in 2009 than it has in any other given year over the last decade. The unprecedented downturn, lower production volumes and major restructuring in the automotive industry have not detracted from the upcoming demand for greener vehicles. In light of environmental regulations, tax incentives, and volatile fuel prices, global car manufacturers recognize that developing low CO2 emission vehicles is a key success factor for the future.

"Our global reach, world-class R&D centers, proven expertise, and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies in lightweight materials have been essential in establishing our solutions as smart design elements in tomorrow's green cars, and I expect our strong market position to grow further in the Asian and North-American regions," added Wolfgang J. Schmitz, president, Alcan Engineered & Automotive Solutions.