The Aluminum Association Announces New Sustainability Initiative

Effort Targets Increased Recycling, Energy Efficient Product Applications and Promotes Operating Efficiency

ARLINGTON, VA, April 22, 2008 – Today the Aluminum Association announced a new sustainability initiative targeting increased recycling, energy efficient product applications and increased operating efficiency. The effort will comprise specific action,communication to key groups and organizational change to assure the initiative goes forward. It will build on the decades long work of the aluminum industry to operate in a sustainable manner for the good of the environment and the industry’s customers.

"Sustainability has long been the driver of the aluminum industry’s actions and communications," said Kevin Anton, President of Alcoa Materials Management and Chairman of the Aluminum Association. "Aluminum produced from scrap, uses only 5% of the energy as primary aluminum does. For example, in automotives aluminum reduces vehicle weight and increases mileage and performance without compromising safety. Increasing what is already a solid record of operating efficiency will further leverage aluminum’s benefits to our customers and to society. The sustainability initiative will involve a long-term effort to align our actions, our communications and the Association’s organizational structure to help address the many environmental challenges we face."

Actions

The following actions are examples of the work that will form the basis of the sustainability initiative. They will also serve as points of departure for new projects: • Curbside Value Partnership (CVP) CVP links the aluminum, paper, glass, plastic and steel industries by working with select cities, counties and states to increase curbside recycling participation and collections. Nearly half of all aluminum cans are land filled each year. Recovering these cans would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and pollution emissions over 90 percent compared to primary production and reduce the need for new landfills. Today some 40 states, counties and cities participate in CVP, which works to increase recycling of all commodities in the consumer’s bin, including aluminum. • World Aluminum Automotive Sustainability In partnership with the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) and the European Aluminium Institute (EAA), the Aluminum Association demonstrates that aluminum automotive applications can lead to potential savings of 140 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions and to energy savings equivalent to 55 billion liters of crude oil over the lifecycle of these vehicles. Through the Auto & Light Truck Group (ALTG), the Aluminum Association is reaching out to customer groups around the world with data and information on how aluminum can help them reduce their environmental footprint. • Voluntary Aluminum industrial Partnership (VAIP) Under the VAIP program, the aluminum industry, working with the U.S. EPA, reduced PFC emissions by 45 percent in 2000 compared with the industry’s 1990 baseline. Reductions achieved in 2005 under the expanded Climate Vision program resulted in a 56 percent reduction in direct process emissions per ton of production, including combined PFC and CO2 release, compared to 1990.

Communications
In the coming months, the Aluminum Association will be reaching out to customers, suppliers, public policymakers, the media and the public. The message will be that aluminum can be part of the solution in reducing greenhouse gases, energy consumption and improving the quality of life for people across the country and throughout the world.

The Association will broaden its communication between those committees working with specific transportation, packaging and builder groups. The Association will also increase the exchange with counterpart industry organizations in North America and other regions.

Organization
The Aluminum Association organization has been changed to reflect the ongoing commitment to sustainability: • A Sustainable Work Group has been established. Led by Stephen Williamson, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, ARCO Aluminum, Inc., the Work Group is comprised of technical and market experts in packaging, automotive and building and construction. “Steve is an experienced executive and the Chairman of the Association’s Can Committee. He and his colleagues on the sustainability Work Group will advise the Board on the actions and resources needed to for our long-term sustainability effort,” said Kevin Anton. • The new sustainability initiative will be led by the Aluminum Association’s new Vice President, Communications, Stephen Gardner. In cooperation with the Sustainable Work Group, he will leverage current resources and develop new resources to grow the sustainability initiative and tell aluminum’s story. “Steve Gardner is an experienced communications executive with a solid record of accomplishment,” said Aluminum Association President, Steve Larkin. “He will bring enthusiasm and a new perspective to our sustainability actions and communications,” Larkin concluded. • Supporting the new initiative will be Jinlong (Marshall) Wang, the Aluminum Association’s new Sustainability Specialist. In the newly created position, Wang will organize current aluminum industry sustainability information and data, develop new information, and coordinate technical support with domestic and international allied organizations. He will report to the Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety, Bob Strieter. "Marshall Wang has an excellent background in the aluminum industry," said Bob Strieter. "His work is recognized in both North America and abroad. He will add depth to our sustainability effort," Strieter concluded.

The Aluminum Association, based in Arlington, VA, with offices in Detroit, MI, represents U.S. and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, recyclers, producers of semi-fabricated products and companies that supply products and services to the aluminum industry. Member companies operate more than 200 plants in North America. Many firms conduct business world-wide.