Alcan acquires entire interest in aluminium dunkerque

Aluminium and packaging multi-national, Alcan, has acquired the remaining 65 per cent stake of the French Aluminium Dunkerque smelter. The move comes six months after acquiring the initial 35 per cent share - previously owned by Pechiney - in a bid to maximise its French operations.

"Aluminium Dunkerque's annual production capacity is 250,000 tonnes making this acquisition an excellent primary aluminium asset to Alcan's global capacity," said Alcan CEO Travis Engen.

The acquisition, including all of the shares and subordinated loans owned by the smeltersfinancial partners, was made for €248 million. The transaction also resulted in theconsolidation by Alcan of an additional €112 million in debt.

Alcan is a multinational operator in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging. Alcan employs 88,000 people and has operating facilities in 63 countries.

With manufacturing facilities located in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands,Switzerland and the UK, Alcan provides products and sevices to the personal care markets across Europe.