Novelis and Rexam Sign Aluminum Sheet Supply Agreement for Can Production

SAO PAULO, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Novelis do Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Novelis Inc., the worldwide leader in aluminum rolled products and can recycling, has signed a multi-year agreement with Rexam, a leading global beverage can producer and the domestic leader in Brazil, to supply aluminum sheet for can production.

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Under this agreement, Novelis will be the sole supplier of can body sheet for Rexam's ten Brazilian plants (including one to be inaugurated in Pouso Alegre-MG later this year) and for its facility in Argentina.  In addition, Novelis will also be the main supplier of aluminum sheet for can ends produced by Rexam in Brazil.

The signing of this agreement enhances the partnership between the two companies and contemplates an increase in aluminum sheet volumes, thus confirming both companies' commitment to respond to the growing demand from the beverage can market.

"This agreement demonstrates Novelis' potential to serve the demand for aluminum sheet from the Brazilian can market and strengthens its global leadership in high value aluminum rolling," says Alexandre Almeida, Senior Vice President of Novelis Inc. and President, Novelis South America.  

"This partnership with Novelis will be key to helping Rexam respond to the growing demand from the beverage can market in South America, in line with the company's regional investment plans," said Augusto Seoane, Rexam Supply and IT Director for Americas.

About Rexam

Rexam is one of the major aluminum beverage can producers in the world and one of the global leaders in packaging for end consumers. With a footprint in more than 20 countries, the company employs approximately 22,000 people in more than 100 facilities throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East and the Americas.

Rexam is a British-origin company that offers a wide range of services for several industries, with global operations focused on metal and plastic packaging solutions for some of the most famous and successful customers in the world. The company's portfolio comprises industries from several segments, among which beverage, food, beauty, personal care and health care.

In South America, Rexam is the major producer of aluminum beverage cans and can ends and provides innovative packaging solutions for a major range of products. In Brazil, with more than 60% participation in this market,  the company is one of the most important business units, operating 12 plants in South America (the 12th one in Pouso Alegre–MG is expected to be inaugurated in the fourth quarter of 2010) employing 1,400 people. Nine plants are located in Brazil (Santa Cruz-RJ, Extrema-MG, Brasilia-DF, Aguas Claras-RS, Jacarei-SP, Cuiaba-MT, Manaus-AM and two facilities in Recife-PE), one plant is located in Chile and one in Argentina. The Manaus (AM) business unit and one of the plants located in Recife (PE) are responsible for can end production.  

About Novelis in Brazil

In Brazil, Novelis' activities include the production of primary aluminum, aluminum rolled products (sheet and foil) and recycling. The company's assets include primary aluminum units in Aratu (BA) and Ouro Preto (MG), aluminum rolling operations in Pindamonhangaba and Santo Andre (SP), and nine hydropower plants located throughout the State of Minas Gerais. For more information on Novelis' activities in Brazil, visit www.novelis.com.br.

About Novelis Inc.

Novelis Inc. is the global leader in aluminum rolled products and aluminum can recycling. The company operates in more than 11 countries, has approximately 12,000 employees and reported revenue of US$10.2 billion in fiscal year 2009. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, one of Asia's largest integrated producers of aluminum and a leading copper producer. Hindalco is the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. For more information, visit www.novelis.com.

SOURCE Novelis Inc.