ALCAN EARNS INTERNATIONAL DIE CASTING AWARD — INNOVATIVE ALUMINUM SOLUTION SIMPLIFIES PRODUCTION

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ALCAN EARNS INTERNATIONAL DIE CASTING AWARD — INNOVATIVE ALUMINUM SOLUTION SIMPLIFIES PRODUCTION
02 November 2001 - Alcan Automotive

Alcan Inc was awarded first-place by the North American Die Casting Association for its “B-Pillar”, a unique aluminum die casting used in construction of the Audi A2 compact car. The award was presented at NADCA’s International Die Casting Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 29, 2001.

This lightweight casting is just one of the many material and process innovations developed by Alcan that are helping vehicle manufacturers such as Audi offer higher-performing, more fuel efficient and environmentally cleaner vehicles to consumers.

“We are delighted to receive this award,” said Wolfgang J. Schmitz, Vice President, Alcan Automotive - Engineered Shaped Products, “because the B-Pillar stands as a great demonstration of the flexibility of aluminum for automotive use. Our work with Audi on pioneering such new applications reflects Alcan's leadership in aluminum technology and helps keep Audi in the forefront of automotive engineering.'

The B-Pillar, which won in the “Aluminum Die Casting 1-10 lb.” category, is an integral element of the all-aluminum structure of the A2 – the world’s first aluminum vehicle produced in an automated high-volume process. Currently available only in Europe, the A2 is the lightest vehicle in its class, making it more fuel efficient and easier to handle, while delivering outstanding safety performance. Audi’s hybrid space frame construction employs several aluminum castings as well as extruded parts and integrated sheet panels.

The large, thin-walled B-Pillar stands four feet tall, yet weighs little more than five pounds. Produced at Alcan’s manufacturing facility near Munich, Germany, the B-Pillar forms the vertical post between the front and rear doors of the A2, and provides critical stiffness to the overall vehicle structure along with added strength in a side impact. This single casting replaces up to eight separate sheet stampings typically assembled for this application.

Manufactured using Alcan’s proprietary vacuum die-casting technique, High-Q-Casting, the B-Pillar represents a significant advance in the production of thin-walled castings with high ductility.

http://www.alcanautomotive.com

About: Alcan Automotive
Alcan is a multinational company in aluminium and packaging, as well as aluminium recycling, with operations in primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing. Alcan employs 88,000 people and has operating facilities in 58 countries and regions.

The merger of Alcan Inc. with Alusuisse Group Ltd. has created a materials company that offers global market coverage and advanced technology solutions in aluminium and other lightweight materials. Alcan has become a leader in the significant growth taking place for aluminium in the automotive sector as manufacturers strive to produce safer, lighter, affordable vehicles.

The organisation currently represents a US$13 billion global enterprise with strong anticipated growth in our automotive businesses, operating under the banner of Alcan Automotive.

A global R&D network, with technology centres located in key markets around the world, combined with an extensive network of aluminium smelters and manufacturing facilities, provides the automobile industry with complete solutions, from materials delivery to design and manufacture of quality vehicle components and modules.

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