Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-161892

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Novelis Inc.

 

Offer to Exchange

Up to $185,000,000 aggregate principal amount

of our 111/2% Senior Notes due 2015

(which we refer to as the “new notes”)

and the guarantees thereof which have been registered

under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,

for $185,000,000 of our outstanding

111/2% Senior Notes due 2015

(which we refer to as the “old notes”

and, together with the new notes, as the “notes”)

and the guarantees thereof

 

 

 

 

The New Notes:

 

The terms of the new notes are substantially identical to the old notes, except that some of the transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest provisions relating to the old notes will not apply to the new notes.

 

 

The Exchange Offer:

 

 

 

The exchange offer involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is December 10, 2009.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the consummation of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about the Company that is not included or delivered with this prospectus. We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of all documents referred to below which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents.

 

In order to obtain timely delivery, you must request the information no later than January 4, 2010, which is five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offer. Any such request should be directed to us at:

 

Corporate Secretary
Novelis Inc.
3399 Peachtree Road, NE
Suite 1500
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 814-4200

ENFORCEABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We are incorporated in Canada under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the CBCA. Our registered office, as well as a substantial portion of our assets, is located outside the United States. Also, some of our directors, controlling persons and officers and some of the experts named in this prospectus reside in Canada or other jurisdictions outside the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. We have agreed in the indenture relating to the notes to accept service of process in New York City, by an agent designated for such purpose, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding relating to the indenture or the notes that is brought in any federal or state court located in New York City, and to submit to the jurisdiction of such courts in connection with such suits, actions or proceedings. However, it may be difficult for holders of notes to effect service of process in the United States on our directors, controlling persons, officers and the experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States or to enforce against them in the United States judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. In addition, there is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against our directors, controlling persons, officers and experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon United States federal securities laws.

 

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

 

The data included in this prospectus regarding markets and the industry in which we operate, including the size of certain markets and our position and the position of our competitors within these markets, are based on reports of government agencies, independent industry sources such as Commodity Research Unit International Limited (CRU), an independent business analysis and consultancy group focused on the mining, metals, power, cables, fertilizer and chemical sectors, and our own estimates relying on our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate. Our management’s knowledge and experience is based on information obtained from our customers, distributors, suppliers, trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate. Although we believe these sources to be reliable and these estimates to be accurate and reasonable as of the date of this prospectus we have not independently verified this information.

 

TRADEMARKS

 

We have proprietary rights to a number of trademarks important to our business, including Novelis Fusion^tm. All other trademarks or service marks referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners and are not our property.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND MARKET DATA

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about us and the industry in which we operate and beliefs and assumptions made by our management. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the headings “Prospectus Summary,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek” and “estimate” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including those described below. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

Information in this prospectus concerning our markets and products generally includes forward-looking statements, which are based on a variety of assumptions regarding the ways in which these markets and product categories will develop. These assumptions have been derived from information currently available to us and to the third party industry analysts quoted in this prospectus. This information includes, but is not

limited to, product shipments and share of production. Actual market results may differ from those predicted. We do not know what impact any of these differences may have on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

 

Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among other things:

 

 

The above list of factors is not exclusive. Some of these and other factors are discussed in more detail under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.”

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

	•	hot mills — that require sheet ingot, a rectangular slab of aluminum, as starter material; and
	•	continuous casting mills — that can convert molten metal directly into semi-finished sheet.

The Exchange Offer		We are offering to exchange $1,000 principal amount of the new notes, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for each $1,000 principal amount of the old notes, which have not been registered under the Securities Act. We issued the old notes on August 11, 2009.
		In order to exchange your old notes, you must promptly tender them before the expiration date (as described herein). All old notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn will be exchanged. We will issue the new notes on or promptly after the expiration date.
		You may tender your old notes for exchange in whole or in part in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Registration Rights Agreement		We sold the old notes on August 11, 2009 to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and RBS Securities Inc., the initial purchasers. Simultaneously with that sale, we signed a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers relating to the old notes that requires us to conduct this exchange offer.
		You have the right under the registration rights agreement to exchange your old notes for new notes. The exchange offer is intended to satisfy such right. After the exchange offer is complete, you will no longer be entitled to any exchange or registration rights with respect to your old notes.
		For a description of the procedures for tendering old notes, see the section “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures.”
Consequences of Failure to Exchange		If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes in the exchange offer, you will still have the restrictions on transfer provided in the old notes and in the indenture that governs both the old notes and the new notes. In general, the old notes may not be offered or sold unless registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act, or in a transaction not subject to the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Upon completion of the exchange offer, we will have no further obligations to register, and we do not currently plan to register, the old notes under the Securities Act. See the section “Risk Factors — If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes, your ability to sell your old notes will be restricted.”

Expiration Date		The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 11, 2010, unless we extend the exchange offer in our sole and absolute discretion. In that case, the expiration date will be the latest date and time to which we extend the exchange offer. See the section “The Exchange Offer — Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments.”

Conditions to the Exchange Offer		The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, including, if in our reasonable judgement:
		• the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of old notes, would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; or
		• any action or proceeding has been instituted or threatened in writing in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offer that, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer.
		We may choose to waive some of these conditions. For more information, see “The Exchange Offer — Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes		If you hold old notes through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and wish to participate in the exchange offer, you must comply with the Automated Tender Offer Program procedures of DTC. See the section “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures.” If you are not a DTC participant, you may tender your old notes by book-entry transfer by contacting your broker, dealer or other nominee or by opening an account with a DTC participant, as the case may be.
		By accepting the exchange offer, you will represent to us that, among other things:
		• any new notes that you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business;
		• you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity, including any of our affiliates, to participate in the distribution of the new notes;
		• you are not our “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or, if you are an affiliate, you will comply with any applicable registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;
		• if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, the distribution of the new notes; and
		• if you are a broker-dealer that will receive new notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities, that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of the new notes.
Withdrawal Rights		You may withdraw the tender of your old notes at any time before the expiration date. To do this, you should deliver a written notice of your withdrawal to the exchange agent according to the withdrawal procedures described in the section “The Exchange Offer — Withdrawal Rights.”
Exchange Agent		The exchange agent for the exchange offer is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. The address, telephone number and facsimile number of the exchange agent are provided in the

		section “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Agent,” as well as in the letter of transmittal.
Use of Proceeds		We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. See the section “Use of Proceeds.”
Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences		Your participation in the exchange offer generally will not be a taxable event for Canadian or U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, you will not recognize any taxable gain or loss or any interest income as a result of the exchange. See the section “Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”

Issuer		Novelis Inc., a Canadian corporation.
Securities Offered		$185,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 111/2% senior notes due 2015.
Maturity Date		The new notes will mature on February 15, 2015.
Interest		The new notes will bear interest at the rate of 11.5% per annum. Interest on the new notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 2010.

Guarantees		The new notes will be guaranteed, fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis, by all of our existing and future Canadian and U.S. restricted subsidiaries, certain of our existing foreign restricted subsidiaries and our other restricted subsidiaries that guarantee debt in the future under any credit facilities, provided that the borrower of such debt is our company or a Canadian or a U.S. subsidiary. Generally each of our wholly-owned subsidiaries is a restricted subsidiary unless designated as an unrestricted subsidiary by the Board of Directors upon satisfying certain qualifications such as not owning any stock or debt of our company or a restricted subsidiary and having minimal assets. See “Description of Notes — Certain Covenants — Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” For the year ended March 31, 2009 and the six months ended September 30, 2009, our subsidiaries that will not be guarantors of the new notes had net sales of $2.6 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, and, as of September 30, 2009, those subsidiaries had assets of $1.4 billion and debt and other liabilities of $1.0 billion (including inter-company balances).

Ranking		The new notes will be:

		• our senior unsecured obligations;
		• effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing that debt;
		• effectively junior in right of payment to all debt and other liabilities (including trade payables) of any of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the new notes; and
		• senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated debt.
		The guarantees of each guarantor will be:
		• senior unsecured obligations of that guarantor;
		• effectively junior in right of payment to all existing and future secured debt of that guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing that debt, including the debt or guarantee of debt of that guarantor under the senior secured credit facilities, which debt or guarantee will be secured by the assets of that guarantor; and
		• senior in right of payment to all of that guarantor’s future subordinated debt.

		As of September 30, 2009, we and the guarantors had $1.3 billion of secured debt. The indenture governing the new notes permits us, subject to specified limitations, to incur additional debt, which may be senior debt.

Optional Redemption		Prior to August 15, 2012, we may, from time to time, redeem all or any portion of the new notes by paying a special “make-whole” premium specified in this prospectus under “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”
		Commencing August 15, 2012, we may, from time to time, redeem all or any portion of the new notes at the redemption prices specified in this prospectus under “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”
		In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to August 15, 2012, we may also redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the new notes in an amount not to exceed the amount of proceeds of one or more equity offerings, at a price equal to 111.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, provided that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the new notes issued remains outstanding after the redemption.
Additional Amounts and Tax Redemption		Any payments made by us with respect to the new notes will be made without withholding or deduction, unless required by law. If we are required by law to withhold or deduct for taxes with respect to a payment to the holders of new notes, we will, subject to certain exceptions, pay the additional amount necessary so that the net amount received by the holders of new notes (other than certain excluded holders) after the withholding is not less than the amount they would have received in the absence of the withholding.

		If we are required to pay additional amounts as a result of changes in laws applicable to tax-related withholdings or deductions in respect of payments on the new notes but not the guarantees, we will have the option to redeem the new notes, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the new notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption and any additional amounts that may be then payable.
Certain Covenants		We will issue the new notes under an indenture among us, the guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The indenture governing the new notes contains covenants that limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:
		• incur additional debt and provide additional guarantees;
		• pay dividends beyond certain amounts and make other restricted payments;
		• create or permit certain liens;
		• make certain asset sales;
		• use the proceeds from the sales of assets and subsidiary stock;
		• create or permit restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us;
		• engage in certain transactions with affiliates;
		• enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
		• designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and
		• consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our restricted subsidiaries.
		During any future period in which either Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard & Poor’s”), or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) have assigned an investment grade credit rating to the new notes and no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, most of the covenants, including our obligation to repurchase new notes following certain asset sales, will be suspended. If either of these ratings agencies then withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to the new notes below the required investment grade rating, or a default or event of default occurs and is continuing, the suspended covenants will again be in effect. If at any time both ratings agencies have assigned an investment grade rating to the new notes, those covenants, including our obligation to repurchase new notes following certain asset sales, will terminate and no longer be applicable regardless of any subsequent changes in the rating of those new notes. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants — Covenant Termination and Suspension.”
		These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants.”

Change of Control Offer		Following a change of control, we will be required to offer to purchase all of the new notes at a purchase price of 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. See “Description of the Notes — Change of Control Offer.”
Transfer Restrictions		The notes are not being offered for sale or exchange and may not be offered for sale or exchange directly or indirectly in Canada except in accordance with applicable securities laws of the provinces and territories of Canada. We are not required, and do not intend, to qualify by prospectus in Canada the notes, and accordingly, the notes will be subject to restriction on resale in Canada.
Risk Factors		Investing in the new notes involves substantial risks. See “Risk Factors” for a description of some of the risks you should consider before investing in the new notes.
Material Income Tax Considerations		You should carefully read the information under the heading “Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”
Original Issue Discount		The old notes were issued at a discount from their stated principal amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, original issue discount will be included in the gross income of a U.S. holder of notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes in advance of the receipt of corresponding cash payments on the notes. See “Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer — Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”

						Three				April 1,					May 16,								Six				Six
						Months				2007					2007								Months				Months
		Year Ended				Ended				through					through				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		December 31,				March 31,				May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				September 30,				September 30,
		2006				2007				2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2008				2009
		Predecessor				Predecessor				Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In million, except per share share amounts)
Statement of Operations:
Net sales		$	9,849			$	2,630			$	1,281				$	9,965			$	10,177			$	6,062			$	4,141
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)			9,317				2,447				1,205					9,042				9,251				5,622				3,261
Selling, general and administrative expenses			410				99				95					319				319				173				161
Depreciation and amortization			233				58				28					375				439				223				192
Research and development expenses			40				8				6					46				41				22				17
Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs			221				54				27					191				182				91				87
Interest income			(15	)			(4	)			(1	)				(18	)			(14	)			(10	)			(6	)
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivative instruments, net			(63	)			(30	)			(20	)				(22	)			556				120				(152	)
Impairment of goodwill			—				—				—					—				1,340				—				—
Gain on extinguishment of debt			—				—				—					—				(122	)			—				—
Restructuring charges, net			19				9				1					6				95				(1	)			6
Equity in net (income) loss of non-consolidated affiliates			(16	)			(3	)			(1	)				(25	)			172				—				20
Other (income) expenses, net			(19	)			47				35					(6	)			86				33				(19	)
			10,127				2,685				1,375					9,908				12,345				6,273				3,567

						Three				April 1,					May 16,								Six				Six
						Months				2007					2007								Months				Months
		Year Ended				Ended				through					through				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		December 31,				March 31,				May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				September 30,				September 30,
		2006				2007				2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2008				2009
		Predecessor				Predecessor				Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In million, except per share share amounts)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(278	)			(55	)			(94	)				57				(2,168	)			(211	)			574
Income tax provision (benefit)			(4	)			7				4					73				(246	)			(133	)			199
Net income (loss)			(274	)			(62	)			(98	)				(16	)			(1,922	)			(78	)			375
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			1				2				(1	)				4				(12	)			2				37
Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder		$	(275	)		$	(64	)		$	(97	)			$	(20	)		$	(1,910	)		$	(80	)		$	338
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	(127	)		$	(48	)		$	(64	)			$	24			$	(2,157	)		$	(161	)		$	515
Dividends per common share		$	0.20			$	0.00			$	0.00				$	0.00			$	0.00			$	0.00			$	0.00

						Three				April 1,					May 16,								Six				Six
						Months				2007					2007								Months				Months
		Year Ended				Ended				through					through				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		December 31,				March 31,				May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				September 30,				September 30,
		2006				2007				2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2008				2009
		Predecessor				Predecessor				Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In millions)
Statement of Cash Flows Data:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	16			$	(87	)		$	(230	)			$	405			$	(236	)		$	(390	)		$	464
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			193				2				2					(98	)			(111	)			52				(442	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(243	)			140				201					(96	)			286				251				(39	)

						Three				April 1,					May 16,								Six				Six
						Months				2007					2007								Months				Months
		Year Ended				Ended				through					through				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		December 31,				March 31,				May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				September 30,				September 30,
		2006				2007				2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2008				2009
		Predecessor				Predecessor				Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In millions)
Other Financial and Operating Data:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)			—				—				—					1.2	x			—				—				7.5	x
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
Total assets		$	5,792			$	5,970								$	10,737			$	7,567			$	10,324			$	7,754
Long-term debt (including current portion)			2,302				2,300									2,575				2,559				2,558				2,645
Short-term borrowings			133				245									115				264				351				177
Cash and cash equivalents			73				128									326				248				219				246
Shareholders’ equity			195				175									3,523				1,419				3,507				2,011

(1)		The acquisition of Novelis by Hindalco on May 15, 2007 was recorded in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 103, Push Down Basis of Accounting Required in Certain Limited Circumstances (“SAB 103”). In our consolidated balance sheets, the consideration and related costs paid by Hindalco in connection with the acquisition have been “pushed down” to us and have been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 141, Business Combinations (“FASB 141”). Due to the impact of push down accounting, our financial statements and certain note presentations for the year ended March 31, 2008 included elsewhere in this prospectus are presented in two distinct periods to indicate the application of two different bases of accounting between the periods presented: (1) the period up to, and including, the acquisition date (April 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007, labeled “Predecessor”) and (2) the period after that date (May 16, 2007 through March 31, 2008, labeled “Successor”). The financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus include a black line division which indicates that the Predecessor and Successor reporting entities shown are not comparable.
		The consideration paid by Hindalco to acquire Novelis has been pushed down to us and allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on our estimates of fair value, using methodologies and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. This allocation of fair value results in additional charges or income to our post-acquisition consolidated statements of operations.
(2)		Earnings consist of income from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of accounting changes, before fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and income taxes, and eliminating undistributed income of persons owned less than 50% by us. Fixed charges consist of interest expenses and amortization of debt discount and expense and premium and that portion of rental payments which is considered as being representative of the interest factor implicit in our operating leases. The ratios shown above are based on our consolidated and combined financial information, which was prepared in accordance with GAAP.
		Due to losses incurred in each of the periods presented below, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. The table below presents the amount of additional earnings required to bring the fixed charge ratio to 1:1 for each respective period.

						Three				April 1,									Six
						Months				2007									Months
		Year Ended				Ended				through					Year Ended				Ended
		December 31,				March 31,				May 15,					March 31,				September 30,
		2006				2007				2007					2009				2008
		Predecessor				Predecessor				Predecessor					Successor				Successor
(In millions)
Additional earnings required to bring fixed charge ratio to 1:1		$	280			$	57			$	93				$	1,996			$	211

 

An investment in the new notes involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, prospective investors should carefully consider the following risks before investing in the new notes. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow could be materially adversely affected, which, in turn, could adversely affect our ability to pay interest and principal on the new notes. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Market Data.”

 

Risks Related to our Business and the Market Environment

 

Economic conditions could continue to materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

 

Our financial condition and results of operations depend significantly on worldwide economic conditions. These economic conditions have recently deteriorated significantly in many countries and regions in which we do business and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Uncertainty about current global economic conditions poses a risk as our customers may postpone purchases in response to tighter credit and negative financial news, which could adversely impact demand for our products. These and other economic factors have, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The current financial turmoil affecting the banking system and financial markets and the possibility that additional financial institutions may consolidate or go out of business has resulted in a tightening in the credit markets, a low level of liquidity in many financial markets and extreme volatility in fixed income, credit, currency and equity markets. There could be a number of follow-on effects from the credit crisis on our business, including the insolvency of key suppliers or their inability to obtain credit to finance development and/or manufacture products resulting in product delays and the inability of customers to purchase our products or pay for products they have already received. If conditions become more severe or continue longer than we anticipate, or if we are unable to adequately respond to unforeseeable changes in demand resulting from economic conditions, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

The deterioration of global economic conditions combined with rapidly declining aluminum prices from a peak of $3,292 per tonne in July 2008 to $1,850 per tonne on September 30, 2009 have placed pressure on our short-term liquidity. In the near term, our forecast indicates our liquidity position will be tight, but adequate as we settle outstanding derivative positions. However, our liquidity needs could increase due to the unpredictability of current market conditions and their potential effect on customer credit, future derivative settlements, future sales volume, our credit, or other matters. As a result, management has undertaken a number of activities to generate cash in the near term as well as implement changes in our cost structure that will benefit our liquidity in the long-term.

 

In addition, we use various derivative instruments to manage the risks arising from fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates, aluminum prices and energy prices. The current financial turmoil affecting the banking system and financial markets could affect whether the counterparties to our derivative instruments are able to honor their agreements. We may be exposed to losses in the future if the counterparties to our derivative instruments fail to honor their agreements. Our maximum potential loss may exceed the amount recognized in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2009.

 

Certain of our customers are significant to our revenues, and we could be adversely affected by changes in the business or financial condition of these significant customers or by the loss of their business.

 

Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 50%, 45%, 45%, 47%, 43% and 43% of our total net sales for the six months ended September 30, 2009; the year ended March 31, 2009; the period from May 16, 2007, through March 31, 2008; the period from April 1, 2007, to May 15, 2007; the three months ended March 31, 2007; and the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively, with Rexam Plc, a leading global

beverage can maker, and its affiliates representing approximately 20%, 17%, 15%, 14%, 16% and 14% of our total net sales in the respective periods. A significant downturn in the business or financial condition of our significant customers could materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if our existing relationships with significant customers materially deteriorate or are terminated in the future, and we are not successful in replacing business lost from such customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. Some of the longer term contracts under which we supply our customers, including under umbrella agreements such as those described under “Business — Our Customers,” are subject to renewal, renegotiation or re-pricing at periodic intervals or upon changes in competitive supply conditions. Our failure to successfully renew, renegotiate or re-price such agreements could result in a reduction or loss in customer purchase volume or revenue, and if we are not successful in replacing business lost from such customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. The markets in which we operate are competitive and customers may seek to consolidate supplier relationships or change suppliers to obtain cost savings and other benefits.

 

Our profitability and cash flows could be adversely affected by our inability to pass through metal price increases due to metal price ceilings in certain of our sales contracts.

 

Prices for metal are volatile, have been impacted by recent structural changes in the market, and may increase from time to time. Nearly all of our products have a price structure with two components: (i) a pass-through aluminum price based on the LME plus local market premiums and (ii) a “conversion premium” price based on the conversion cost to produce the rolled product and the competitive market conditions for that product. Sales contracts representing 257 kt and 300 kt of our fiscal 2009 and 2008 shipments, respectively, contained a ceiling over which metal prices could not be contractually passed through to certain customers, unless adjusted. This negatively impacted our margins and operating cash flows when the price we paid for metal was above the ceiling price contained in these contracts. We calculate and report this difference to be approximately the difference between the quoted purchase price on the LME (adjusted for any local premiums and for any price lag associated with purchasing or processing time) and the metal price ceiling in our contracts. Cash flows from operations are negatively impacted by the same amounts, adjusted for any timing difference between customer receipts and vendor payments, and offset partially by reduced income taxes.

 

During the years ended March 31, 2009, March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, we were unable to pass through approximately $176 million, $230 million and $460 million, respectively, of metal purchase costs associated with sales under these contracts. For the six months ended September 30, 2009, we were unable to pass through $4 million of metal purchase costs associated with sales under these contracts. Based upon current LME prices and based on a September 30, 2009 aluminum price of $1,850 per tonne, we estimate that we will be unable to pass through additional aluminum purchase costs of approximately $4 million through December 31, 2009 when these contracts expire. However, if metal prices increase above the metal price ceiling, our margins and operating cash flows will be negatively impacted.

 

Our efforts to mitigate the risk of rising metal prices may not be effective.

 

We employ the following strategies to manage and mitigate the risk associated with metal price ceilings and rising prices that we cannot pass through to certain customers:

 

 

Our results and cash flows can be negatively impacted by timing differences between the prices we pay under purchase contracts and metal prices we charge our customers.

 

In some of our contracts there is a timing difference between the metal prices we pay under our purchase contracts and the metal prices we charge our customers. As a result, changes in metal prices impact our results, since during such periods we bear the additional cost or benefit of metal price changes, which could have a material effect on our profitability and cash flows.

 

Our operations consume energy and our profitability and cash flows may decline if energy costs were to rise, or if our energy supplies were interrupted.

 

We consume substantial amounts of energy in our rolling operations, cast house operations and Brazilian smelting operations. The factors that affect our energy costs and supply reliability tend to be specific to each of our facilities. A number of factors could materially adversely affect our energy position including:

 

 

If energy costs were to rise, or if energy supplies or supply arrangements were disrupted, our profitability and cash flows could decline.

 

We may not have sufficient cash to repay indebtedness and we may be limited in our ability to access financing for future capital requirements, which may prevent us from increasing our manufacturing capability, improving our technology or addressing any gaps in our product offerings.

 

Although historically our cash flow from operations has been sufficient to repay indebtedness, satisfy working capital requirements and fund capital expenditure and research and development requirements, in the future we may need to incur additional debt or issue equity in order to fund these requirements as well as to make acquisitions and other investments. To the extent we are unable to raise new capital, we may be unable to increase our manufacturing capability, improve our technology or address any gaps in our product offerings. If we raise funds through the issuance of debt, the terms of the debt securities may impose restrictions on our operations that have an adverse impact on our financial condition.

 

A deterioration of our financial position or a downgrade of our ratings by a credit rating agency could increase our borrowing costs and our business relationships could be adversely affected.

 

A deterioration of our financial position or a downgrade of our ratings for any reason could increase our borrowing costs and have an adverse effect on our business relationships with customers, suppliers and hedging counterparties. From time to time, we enter into various forms of hedging activities against currency or metal price fluctuations and trade metal contracts on the LME. Financial strength and credit ratings are important to the availability and pricing of these hedging and trading activities. As a result, any downgrade of our credit ratings may make it more costly for us to engage in these activities, and changes to our level of indebtedness may make it more difficult or costly for us to engage in these activities in the future.

Adverse changes in currency exchange rates could negatively affect our financial results or cash flows and the competitiveness of our aluminum rolled products relative to other materials.

 

Our businesses and operations are exposed to the effects of changes in the exchange rates of the U.S. dollar, the euro, the British pound, the Brazilian real, the Canadian dollar, the Korean won and other currencies. We have implemented a hedging policy that attempts to manage currency exchange rate risks to an acceptable level based on management’s judgment of the appropriate trade-off between risk, opportunity and cost; however, this hedging policy may not successfully or completely eliminate the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars, but a portion of our earnings and expenditures are denominated in other currencies, primarily the euro, the Korean won and the Brazilian real. Changes in exchange rates will result in increases or decreases in our reported costs and earnings and may also affect the book value of our assets located outside the U.S.

 

Most of our facilities are staffed by a unionized workforce, and union disputes and other employee relations issues could materially adversely affect our financial results.

 

Approximately 70% of our employees are represented by labor unions under a large number of collective bargaining agreements with varying durations and expiration dates. We may not be able to satisfactorily renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements when they expire. In addition, existing collective bargaining agreements may not prevent a strike or work stoppage at our facilities in the future, and any such work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

Our operations have been and will continue to be exposed to various business and other risks, changes in conditions and events beyond our control in countries where we have operations or sell products.

 

We are, and will continue to be, subject to financial, political, economic and business risks in connection with our global operations. We have made investments and carry on production activities in various emerging markets, including Brazil, Korea and Malaysia, and we market our products in these countries, as well as China and certain other countries in Asia, the Middle East and emerging markets in South America. While we anticipate higher growth or attractive production opportunities from these emerging markets, they also present a higher degree of risk than more developed markets. In addition to the business risks inherent in developing and servicing new markets, economic conditions may be more volatile, legal and regulatory systems less developed and predictable, and the possibility of various types of adverse governmental action more pronounced. In addition, inflation, fluctuations in currency and interest rates, competitive factors, civil unrest and labor problems could affect our revenues, expenses and results of operations. Our operations could also be adversely affected by acts of war, terrorism or the threat of any of these events as well as government actions such as controls on imports, exports and prices, tariffs, new forms of taxation, or changes in fiscal regimes and increased government regulation in the countries in which we operate or service customers. Unexpected or uncontrollable events or circumstances in any of these markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

We could be adversely affected by disruptions of our operations.

 

Breakdown of equipment or other events, including catastrophic events such as war or natural disasters, leading to production interruptions in our plants could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows. Further, because many of our customers are, to varying degrees, dependent on planned deliveries from our plants, those customers that have to reschedule their own production due to our missed deliveries could pursue claims against us. We may incur costs to correct any of these problems, in addition to facing claims from customers. Further, our reputation among actual and potential customers may be harmed, resulting in a loss of business. While we maintain insurance policies covering, among other things, physical damage, business interruptions and product liability, these policies would not cover all of our losses.

Our goodwill and other intangible assets could become further impaired, which may require us to take significant non-cash charges against earnings.

 

We assess, at least annually and potentially more frequently, whether the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets has been impaired. Any impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets as a result of such analysis would result in a non-cash charge against earnings, which charge could materially adversely affect our reported results of operations.

 

In fiscal 2009, we recorded a $1.34 billion goodwill impairment charge due to the deterioration in the global economic environment and the resulting decrease in both the market capitalization of our parent company and the valuation of our publicly traded 7.25% senior notes. Subsequent to that impairment charge, our remaining goodwill balance as of September 30, 2009 was $611 million, allocated to our reporting units as follows: North America — $288 million; Europe — $181 million; South America — $113 million. The fair value of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying amounts in our most recent impairment test by 12% for North America, by 9% for Europe and by 36% for South America.

 

A significant and sustained decline in our future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the economic environment or slower growth rates could result in the need to perform additional impairment analysis in future periods. If we were to conclude that a future write-down of goodwill or other intangible assets is necessary, then we would record such additional charges, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.

 

As part of our ongoing evaluation of our operations, we may undertake additional restructuring efforts in the future which could in some instances result in significant severance-related costs, environmental remediation expenses and impairment and other restructuring charges.

 

We recorded restructuring charges of $95 million for the year ended March 31, 2009 and $7 million for the year ended March 31, 2008. During this two year period we announced, among others, the following restructuring actions and programs:

 

 

We may take additional restructuring actions in the future. In particular, we expect to continue to evaluate our primary aluminum business in light of current market conditions, including our South American operations, which include two rolling plants in Brazil along with two smelters, bauxite mines and power generation facilities. Any additional restructuring efforts could result in significant severance-related costs, environmental remediation expenses, impairment charges, restructuring charges and related costs and expenses, which could adversely affect our profitability and cash flows.

 

We may not be able to successfully develop and implement new technology initiatives in a timely manner.

 

We have invested in, and are involved with, a number of technology and process initiatives. Several technical aspects of these initiatives are still unproven, and the eventual commercial outcomes cannot be assessed with any certainty. Even if we are successful with these initiatives, we may not be able to deploy them in a timely fashion. Accordingly, the costs and benefits from our investments in new technologies and the consequent effects on our financial results may vary from present expectations.

If we fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may have material misstatements in our financial statements and we may not be able to report our financial results in a timely manner.

 

Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to provide a report by management in our Form 10-K on internal control over financial reporting, including management’s assessment of the effectiveness of such control. Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only some assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we may be unable to provide financial information in a timely and reliable manner. Any such difficulties or failure may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

In July 2008, we identified non-cash errors relating to our purchase accounting for an equity method investee including related income tax accounts. As a result of our identification of these errors, our audit committee of our board of directors (the “Audit Committee”) and management concluded on August 1, 2008, that our previously issued consolidated financial statements for our fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, should no longer be relied upon. Upon conducting a review of these accounting errors, management determined that as of March 31, 2008, we had a material weakness with respect to the application of purchase accounting for an equity method investee including the related income tax accounts. Specifically, our controls did not ensure the accuracy and validity of our purchase accounting adjustments for an equity method investee. This control deficiency could result in a material misstatement of our “Investment in and advances to non-consolidated affiliates” and “Equity in net (income) loss of non-consolidated affiliates” in our consolidated financial statements that would result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management had determined that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness. This material weakness was disclosed in our amended Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008, our quarterly report on form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2008, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009. This material weakness still existed as of September 30, 2009.

 

If we are not able to remedy the material weakness in a timely manner, we may not be able to provide our securityholders with the required financial information in a timely and reliable manner and we may incorrectly report financial information, either of which could subject us to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC. In addition, there could be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.

 

Loss of our key management and other personnel, or an inability to attract such management and other personnel, could adversely impact our business.

 

We depend on our senior executive officers and other key personnel to run our business. The loss of any of these officers or other key personnel could materially adversely affect our operations. Competition for qualified employees among companies that rely heavily on engineering and technology is intense, and the loss of qualified employees or an inability to attract, retain and motivate additional highly skilled employees required for the operation and expansion of our business could hinder our ability to improve manufacturing operations, conduct research activities successfully and develop marketable products.

 

Past and future acquisitions or divestitures may adversely affect our financial condition.

 

Historically, we have grown partly through the acquisition of other businesses, including businesses acquired by Alcan in its 2000 acquisition of the Alusuisse Group Ltd. and its 2003 acquisition of Pechiney SA, both of which were integrated aluminum companies. As part of our strategy for growth, we may continue to pursue acquisitions, divestitures or strategic alliances, which may not be completed or, if completed, may

not be ultimately beneficial to us. There are numerous risks commonly encountered in business combinations, including the risk that we may not be able to complete a transaction that has been announced, effectively integrate businesses acquired or generate the cost savings and synergies anticipated. Failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

 

We could be required to make unexpected contributions to our defined benefit pension plans as a result of adverse changes in interest rates and the capital markets.

 

Most of our pension obligations relate to funded defined benefit pension plans for our employees in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada, unfunded pension benefits in Germany and lump sum indemnities payable to our employees in France, Italy, Korea and Malaysia upon retirement or termination. Our pension plan assets consist primarily of funds invested in listed stocks and bonds. Our estimates of liabilities and expenses for pensions and other postretirement benefits incorporate a number of assumptions, including expected long-term rates of return on plan assets and interest rates used to discount future benefits. Our results of operations, liquidity or shareholders’ equity in a particular period could be adversely affected by capital market returns that are less than their assumed long-term rate of return or a decline of the rate used to discount future benefits.

 

If the assets of our pension plans do not achieve assumed investment returns for any period, such deficiency could result in one or more charges against our earnings for that period. In addition, changing economic conditions, poor pension investment returns or other factors may require us to make unexpected cash contributions to the pension plans in the future, preventing the use of such cash for other purposes.

 

We face risks relating to certain joint ventures and subsidiaries that we do not entirely control. Our ability to generate cash from these entities may be more restricted than if such entities were wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

Some of our activities are, and will in the future be, conducted through entities that we do not entirely control or wholly own. These entities include our Norf, Germany and Logan, Kentucky joint ventures, as well as our majority-owned Korean and Malaysian subsidiaries. Our Malaysian subsidiary is a public company whose shares are listed for trading on the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Under the governing documents or agreements or securities laws applicable to or stock exchange listing rules relative to certain of these joint ventures and subsidiaries, our ability to fully control certain operational matters may be limited. In addition, we do not solely determine certain key matters, such as the timing and amount of cash distributions from these entities. As a result, our ability to generate cash from these entities may be more restricted than if they were wholly-owned entities.

 

Hindalco and its interests as equity holder may conflict with our interest or your interests as holders of the notes in the future.

 

Novelis is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Hindalco. As a result, Hindalco may exercise control over our decisions to enter into any corporate transaction or capital restructuring and has the ability to approve or prevent any transaction that requires the approval of our stockholders, regardless of whether or not holders of the notes believe that any such transactions are in their own best interests. The interests of Hindalco and the actions it is able to undertake as our sole stockholder may differ or adversely affect your interests as holders of the notes. Hindalco may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its equity investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to holders of the notes. For example, Hindalco could cause us to make acquisitions that increase the amount of indebtedness that is secured, or to sell revenue-generating assets, impairing our ability to make payments under the notes. Hindalco may be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions as long as they own a significant portion of our equity, even if such amount is less than 50%. Additionally, Hindalco operates in the aluminum industry and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete, directly or indirectly, with us. Hindalco may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Hindalco has no obligation to provide us with financing and is able to sell their equity ownership in us at any time.

We have supply agreements with Alcan for a portion of our raw materials requirements. If Alcan is unable to deliver sufficient quantities of these materials or if it terminates these agreements, our ability to manufacture products on a timely basis could be adversely affected.

 

The manufacture of our products requires sheet ingot that has historically been, in part, supplied by Alcan. For the year ended March 31, 2009, we purchased the majority of our third party sheet ingot requirements from Alcan’s primary metal group. In connection with the spin-off, we entered into metal supply agreements with Alcan upon terms and conditions substantially similar to market terms and conditions for the continued purchase of sheet ingot from Alcan, which were amended effective as of January 1, 2008. If Alcan is unable to deliver sufficient quantities of this material on a timely basis or if Alcan terminates one or more of these agreements, our production may be disrupted and our net sales, profitability and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Although aluminum is traded on the world markets, developing alternative suppliers for that portion of our raw material requirements we expect to be supplied by Alcan could be time consuming and expensive.

 

Our continuous casting operations at our Saguenay Works, Canada facility depend upon a local supply of molten aluminum from Alcan. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, Alcan’s primary metal group supplied most of the molten aluminum used at Saguenay Works. In connection with the spin-off, we entered into a metal supply agreement on terms determined primarily by Alcan for the continued purchase of molten aluminum from Alcan. If this supply were to be disrupted, our Saguenay Works production could be interrupted and our net sales, profitability and cash flows materially adversely affected.

 

We may lose key rights if a change in control of our voting shares were to occur.

 

Our separation agreement with Alcan provides that if we experience a change in control in our voting shares during the five years following the spin-off and if the entity acquiring control does not refrain from using the Novelis assets to compete against Alcan in the plate and aerospace products markets, Alcan may terminate any or all of certain agreements we currently have with Alcan. Hindalco delivered the requisite non-compete agreement to Alcan on June 14, 2007, following its acquisition of our common shares. However, if Hindalco were to sell its controlling interest in Novelis before January 6, 2010, a new acquirer would be required to provide a similar agreement.

 

The termination of any of these agreements could deprive any potential acquirer of certain services, resources or rights necessary to the conduct of our business. Replacement of these assets could be difficult or impossible, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business operations, net sales, profitability and cash flows. In addition, the potential termination of these agreements could prevent us from entering into future business transactions such as acquisitions or joint ventures at terms favorable to us or at all.

 

Our agreement not to compete with Alcan in certain end-use markets may hinder our ability to take advantage of new business opportunities.

 

In connection with the spin-off, we agreed not to compete with Alcan for a period of five years from the spin-off date in the manufacture, production and sale of certain products for use in the plate and aerospace markets. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to pursue successfully new business opportunities, which could limit our potential sources of revenue and growth.

 

We face significant price and other forms of competition from other aluminum rolled products producers, which could hurt our results of operations and cash flows.

 

Generally, the markets in which we operate are highly competitive. We compete primarily on the basis of our value proposition, including price, product quality, ability to meet customers’ specifications, range of products offered, lead times, technical support and customer service. Some of our competitors may benefit from greater capital resources, have more efficient technologies, have lower raw material and energy costs and may be able to sustain longer periods of price competition.

In addition, our competitive position within the global aluminum rolled products industry may be affected by, among other things, the recent trend toward consolidation among our competitors, exchange rate fluctuations that may make our products less competitive in relation to the products of companies based in other countries (despite the U.S. dollar-based input cost and the marginal costs of shipping) and economies of scale in purchasing, production and sales, which accrue to the benefit of some of our competitors.

 

Increased competition could cause a reduction in our shipment volumes and profitability or increase our expenditures, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

The end-use markets for certain of our products are highly competitive and customers are willing to accept substitutes for our products.

 

The end-use markets for certain aluminum rolled products are highly competitive. Aluminum competes with other materials, such as steel, plastics, composite materials and glass, among others, for various applications, including in beverage and food cans and automotive end-use markets. In the past, customers have demonstrated a willingness to substitute other materials for aluminum. For example, changes in consumer preferences in beverage containers have increased the use of PET plastic containers and glass bottles in recent years. These trends may continue. The willingness of customers to accept substitutes for aluminum products could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

The seasonal nature of some of our customers’ industries could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

The construction industry and the consumption of beer and soda are sensitive to weather conditions and as a result, demand for aluminum rolled products in the construction industry and for can feedstock can be seasonal. Our quarterly financial results could fluctuate as a result of climatic changes, and a prolonged series of cold summers in the different regions in which we conduct our business could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

We are subject to a broad range of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, and we may be exposed to substantial environmental, health and safety costs and liabilities.

 

We are subject to a broad range of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. These laws and regulations impose increasingly stringent environmental, health and safety protection standards and permitting requirements regarding, among other things, air emissions, wastewater storage, treatment and discharges, the use and handling of hazardous or toxic materials, waste disposal practices, the remediation of environmental contamination, post-mining reclamation and working conditions for our employees. Some environmental laws, such as Superfund and comparable laws in U.S. states and other jurisdictions worldwide, impose joint and several liability for the cost of environmental remediation, natural resource damages, third party claims, and other expenses, without regard to the fault or the legality of the original conduct.

 

The costs of complying with these laws and regulations, including participation in assessments and remediation of contaminated sites and installation of pollution control facilities, have been, and in the future could be, significant. In addition, these laws and regulations may also result in substantial environmental liabilities associated with divested assets, third party locations and past activities. In certain instances, these costs and liabilities, as well as related action to be taken by us, could be accelerated or increased if we were to close, divest of or change the principal use of certain facilities with respect to which we may have environmental liabilities or remediation obligations. Currently, we are involved in a number of compliance efforts, remediation activities and legal proceedings concerning environmental matters, including certain activities and proceedings arising under Superfund and comparable laws in U.S. states and other jurisdictions worldwide in which we have operations, including Brazil and certain countries in the European Union.

 

We have established reserves for environmental remediation activities and liabilities where appropriate. However, the cost of addressing environmental matters (including the timing of any charges related thereto) cannot be predicted with certainty, and these reserves may not ultimately be adequate, especially in light of

potential changes in environmental conditions, changing interpretations of laws and regulations by regulators and courts, the discovery of previously unknown environmental conditions, the risk of governmental orders to carry out additional compliance on certain sites not initially included in remediation in progress, our potential liability to remediate sites for which provisions have not been previously established and the adoption of more stringent environmental laws. Such future developments could result in increased environmental costs and liabilities and could require significant capital expenditures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results or cash flows. Furthermore, the failure to comply with our obligations under the environmental laws and regulations could subject us to administrative, civil or criminal penalties, obligations to pay damages or other costs, and injunctions or other orders, including orders to cease operations. In addition, the presence of environmental contamination at our properties could adversely affect our ability to sell property, receive full value for a property or use a property as collateral for a loan.

 

Some of our current and potential operations are located or could be located in or near communities that may regard such operations as having a detrimental effect on their social and economic circumstances. Environmental laws typically provide for participation in permitting decisions, site remediation decisions and other matters. Concern about environmental justice issues may affect our operations. Should such community objections be presented to government officials, the consequences of such a development may have a material adverse impact upon the profitability or, in extreme cases, the viability of an operation. In addition, such developments may adversely affect our ability to expand or enter into new operations in such location or elsewhere and may also have an effect on the cost of our environmental remediation projects.

 

We use a variety of hazardous materials and chemicals in our rolling processes, as well as in our smelting operations in Brazil and in connection with maintenance work on our manufacturing facilities. Because of the nature of these substances or related residues, we may be liable for certain costs, including, among others, costs for health-related claims or removal or re-treatment of such substances. Certain of our current and former facilities incorporate asbestos-containing materials, a hazardous substance that has been the subject of health-related claims for occupation exposure. In addition, although we have developed environmental, health and safety programs for our employees, including measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous substances, and conduct regular assessments at our facilities, we are currently, and in the future may be, involved in claims and litigation filed on behalf of persons alleging injury predominantly as a result of occupational exposure to substances or other hazards at our current or former facilities. It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims and lawsuits due to the unpredictable nature of personal injury litigation. If these claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, were finally resolved against us, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

We may be exposed to significant legal proceedings or investigations.

 

From time to time, we are involved in, or the subject of, disputes, proceedings and investigations with respect to a variety of matters, including environmental, health and safety, product liability, employee, tax, personal injury, contractual and other matters as well as other disputes and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business.

 

Certain of these matters are discussed in the preceding risk factor. Any claims against us or any investigations involving us, whether meritorious or not, could be costly to defend or comply with and could divert management’s attention as well as operational resources. Any such dispute, litigation or investigation, whether currently pending or threatened or in the future, may have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

For example, a lawsuit was commenced against Novelis Corporation on February 15, 2007 by Coca-Cola Bottler’s Sales and Services Company LLC (“CCBSS”) in Georgia state court. CCBSS is a consortium of Coca-Cola bottlers across the United States, including Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. CCBSS alleges that Novelis Corporation breached an aluminum can stock supply agreement between the parties, and seeks monetary damages in an amount to be determined at trial and a declaration of its rights under the agreement. The agreement includes a “most favored nations” provision regarding certain pricing matters. CCBSS alleges that Novelis Corporation breached the terms of the “most favored nations” provision. The dispute will likely turn

on the facts that are presented to the court by the parties and the court’s finding as to how certain provisions of the agreement ought to be interpreted. If CCBSS were to prevail in this litigation, the amount of damages would likely be material. Novelis Corporation has filed its answer and the parties are proceeding with discovery. See “Business — Legal Proceedings.”

 

Product liability claims against us could result in significant costs or negatively impact our reputation and could adversely affect our business results and financial condition.

 

We are sometimes exposed to warranty and product liability claims. There can be no assurance that we will not experience material product liability losses arising from such claims in the future and that these will not have a negative impact on us. We generally maintain insurance against many product liability risks, but there can be no assurance that this coverage will be adequate for any liabilities ultimately incurred. In addition, there is no assurance that insurance will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. A successful claim that exceeds our available insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

Risks Related to the Notes

 

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our business and therefore make it more difficult for us to fulfill our obligations under the notes.

 

We are highly leveraged. As of September 30, 2009 we had $2.8 billion of indebtedness outstanding. Our substantial indebtedness and interest expense could have important consequences to our company and holders of notes, including:

 

 

Despite the level of our indebtedness, we may still incur significantly more indebtedness. This could further increase the risks associated with our indebtedness.

 

Despite our current level of indebtedness of $2.8 billion as of September 30, 2009 we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional indebtedness of up to approximately $300 million, including secured indebtedness, in the future. Our level of additional indebtedness is limited by our senior secured credit facilities, the indenture governing our 7.25% senior notes and the indenture governing the notes. However, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions. Currently our senior secured credit facilities consist of (a) a $1.16 billion seven-year term loan facility maturing July 2014 (the “Term Loan Facility”) and (b) an $800 million five-year multi-currency asset-based revolving line of credit and letter of credit facility maturing July 2012 (the “ABL Facility”). If new indebtedness is added to our and our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the related risks that we and they face would be increased and we may not be able to meet all our debt obligations, including repayment of the notes, in whole or in part.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all our indebtedness, including the notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

 

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain such a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the notes.

 

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments and the indentures governing the notes may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.

 

The covenants in our senior secured credit facilities, the indenture governing our 7.25% senior notes and the indenture governing the notes impose significant operating restrictions on us.

 

The senior secured credit facilities, the indenture governing our 7.25% senior notes and the indenture governing the notes impose significant operating restrictions on us. These restrictions limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, among other things, to:

 

 

In addition, under the ABL Facility, if our excess availability under the ABL Facility is less than 10% of the lender commitments under the ABL Facility or less than 10% of our borrowing base, we are required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1 to 1. As of September 30, 2009, our fixed charge coverage ratio was less than 1 to 1 and our excess availability was $400 million, or 50% of the lender commitments under the ABL Facility. Following the completion of the offering of the old notes, we used approximately $81 million of the proceeds plus additional cash on hand to repay a portion of the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility.

If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the notes.

 

Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under our senior secured credit facilities, that is not waived by the required lenders or holders of such indebtedness, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness, could prevent us from paying principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes and substantially decrease the market value of the notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including the covenants contained in our senior secured credit facilities, we would be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default:

 

 

As a result of such default and any actions the lenders may take in response thereto, we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

 

If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our senior secured credit facilities to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our senior secured credit facilities and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we could be in default under our senior secured credit facilities, the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

 

We are a holding company and depend on our subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations, including payments on the notes.

 

We are a holding company and a large portion of our assets is the capital stock of our subsidiaries and the equity interests in our joint ventures. As a holding company, we conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries and joint ventures. Consequently, our cash flow and ability to service our debt obligations, including the notes, are dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and joint ventures and the distribution of those earnings to us, or upon loans, advances or other payments made by these entities to us. The ability of these entities to pay dividends or make other loans, advances or payments to us will depend upon their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing their debt, and we may not exercise sufficient control to cause distributions to be made to us. Although our senior secured credit facilities, the indenture governing our 7.25% senior notes and the indenture governing the notes each limits the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to enter into consensual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends and make other payments to us, these limitations do not apply to our existing joint ventures or unrestricted subsidiaries and the limitations are also subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

 

The ability of our subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to allow us to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations, including the notes, will depend on their future financial performance, which will be affected by a range of economic, competitive and business factors, many of which are outside of our control. We cannot assure you that the cash flow and earnings of our operating subsidiaries and the amount that they are able to distribute to us as dividends or otherwise will be adequate for us to service our debt obligations, including the notes. If our subsidiaries do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, including payments on the notes, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying

capital investments or seeking to raise additional capital. We cannot assure you that any such alternative refinancing would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timing of the sales and the amount of proceeds realized from those sales, that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all, or that additional financing would be permitted under the terms of our various debt instruments then in effect. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow, as well as on our ability to satisfy our obligations on the notes.

 

Your right to receive payments on the notes is effectively junior in right of payment to all existing and future secured indebtedness of ours or the guarantors up to the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

 

Our obligations under the notes are unsecured. The notes are effectively junior to all existing and future secured indebtedness of ours or the guarantors up to the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. For example, the notes and the related guarantees effectively rank junior to $1.3 billion of secured debt under our senior secured credit facilities at September 30, 2009 (and up to an additional $400 million available under our ABL Facility that we may borrow thereunder from time to time), which debt is secured by our assets and the assets of our principal subsidiaries. Following the completion of the offering of the old notes, we used approximately $81 million of the proceeds plus additional cash on hand to repay a portion of the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility. Although the indenture contains restrictions on our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to create or incur liens to secure indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to important limitations and exceptions that permit us to secure a substantial amount of additional indebtedness. Accordingly, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization affecting us or any guarantors, your rights to receive payment will be effectively subordinated to those of secured creditors up to the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. Holders of the notes will participate ratably with all holders of our unsecured indebtedness that is deemed to be of the same class as the notes, and potentially with all of our other general creditors, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in our remaining assets. In any of the foregoing events, we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient assets to pay amounts due on the notes. As a result, holders of the notes may receive less, ratably, than holders of secured indebtedness. In addition, if the secured lenders were to declare a default with respect to their loans and enforce their rights with respect to their collateral, there can be no assurance that our remaining assets would be sufficient to satisfy our other obligations, including our obligations with respect to the notes.

 

Your right to receive payments on the notes could be adversely affected if any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries declares bankruptcy, liquidate or reorganize.

 

Some, but not all, of our subsidiaries guarantee the notes. As a result, you are creditors of only our company and our subsidiaries that do guarantee the notes. In the case of subsidiaries that are not guarantors, all the existing and future liabilities of those subsidiaries, including any claims of trade creditors, debtholders and preferred stockholders, are effectively senior to the notes and related guarantees. Subject to limitations in the senior secured credit facilities, the indenture governing the 7.25% senior notes and the indenture governing the notes, non-guarantor subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness in the future (and may incur other liabilities without limitation). In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, their creditors will generally be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of those subsidiaries before any assets are made available for distribution to us. For the year ended March 31, 2009 and the six months ended September 30, 2009, our subsidiaries that will not be guarantors of the notes had sales and operating revenues of $2.6 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, and, as of September 30, 2009, those subsidiaries had assets of $1.4 billion and debt and other liabilities of $1.0 billion (including inter-company balances).

 

We may be unable to repurchase the notes upon a change of control.

 

Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes and the 7.25% senior notes. The source of funds for any such purchase of the notes and the 7.25% senior notes will be our available cash or cash generated from our subsidiaries’ operations

or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. We may not be able to repurchase the notes or the 7.25% senior notes upon a change of control because we may not have sufficient financial resources to repurchase all such notes that are tendered upon a change of control. Accordingly, we may not be able to satisfy our obligations to repurchase the notes and the 7.25% senior notes unless we are able to refinance or obtain waivers under our senior secured credit facilities. Our failure to repurchase the notes upon a change of control would cause a default under the indenture governing the notes and the indenture governing our 7.25% senior notes and a cross default under our senior secured credit facilities.

 

Also, we can not assure you that a repurchase of the notes following such a change in control would be permitted pursuant to any of our indebtedness agreements that would be in effect at the time of such change in control, which could cause our other indebtedness to be accelerated. Our senior secured credit facilities provide that certain change of control events will constitute a default that permits lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings thereunder. If we cannot obtain a waiver of such default or seek to refinance such indebtedness, this could result in the acceleration of such indebtedness. Any future indebtedness agreement may contain similar provisions. If such indebtedness were to be accelerated, we may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes and repay such indebtedness.

 

In addition, the change of control provision and other covenants in the indenture governing the notes do not cover all corporate reorganizations, mergers, amalgamations or similar transactions and may not provide you with protection in a transaction, including a highly leveraged transaction, unless such transaction constitutes a change of control under the indenture governing the notes.

 

Most of the covenants in the indenture will be suspended during any future period that we have an investment grade rating from one rating agency, and during any such period you will not have the benefit of those covenants. In addition, certain covenants will be terminated if we have an investment grade rating from both rating agencies.

 

Most of the covenants in the indenture governing the notes, as well as our obligation to offer to repurchase notes following certain asset sales or upon a change of control, will be suspended if the notes obtain an investment grade rating from either one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and we are not in default under the indenture. If such a suspension occurs, the protections afforded to you by the covenants that have been suspended will not be restored until the investment grade rating assigned by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, as the case may be, to the notes should subsequently decline and as a result the notes do not carry an investment grade rating from one rating agency. In addition, most of these covenants, as well as our obligation to offer to repurchase notes following certain asset sales or upon a change of control, will be terminated permanently if at any time the notes receive an investment grade rating from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s and we are not in default under the indenture. If this termination occurs, the protections afforded to you by the terminated covenants will not be later restored, regardless of any subsequent change in the notes’ ratings. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants — Covenant Termination and Suspension.”

 

Changes in our credit ratings or the financial and credit markets could adversely affect the market prices of the notes.

 

The future market prices of the notes will be affected by a number of factors, including:

 

 

The condition of the financial and credit markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. These fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the trading prices of the notes. In addition, credit rating agencies continually revise their ratings for companies that they follow, including us. We cannot assure you that credit rating agencies will continue to rate the notes or that they will maintain their ratings on the notes. The withdrawal of a rating for a negative change in our rating could have an adverse effect on the market prices of the notes.

Fraudulent conveyance laws and other legal restrictions may permit courts to void or subordinate our subsidiaries’ guarantees of the notes in specific circumstances, which would prevent or limit payment under the guarantees. Certain limitations contained in the guarantees, which are designed to avoid this result, may render the guarantees worthless.

 

The notes are guaranteed by a number of our subsidiaries. Federal, state and foreign statutes may allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void or subordinate any or all of our subsidiaries’ guarantees of the notes. If any guarantees are voided or subordinated, our noteholders might be required to return payments received from our subsidiaries. The criteria for application of such fraudulent conveyance and other statutes vary, but, in general, under United States federal bankruptcy law, comparable provisions of state fraudulent conveyance laws and applicable Canadian federal or provincial law, a guarantee could be set aside or subordinated if, among other things, the guarantor, at the time it provided the guarantee:

 

 

 

Under certain Canadian federal and provincial statutes, a rebuttable presumption of the guarantor’s intent to prefer one creditor or hinder another may arise depending on the period of time that has elapsed between the assumption of the guarantee and the date of the guarantor’s insolvency.

 

A court would likely find that a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee if such guarantor did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of its guarantee. As a general matter, value is given for an obligation if, in exchange for the obligation, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied.

 

The definition and test for insolvency will vary depending upon the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied. Generally, however, a guarantor would be considered insolvent if, at the time the guarantor provided the guarantee:

 

 

The tests for fraudulent conveyance, including the criteria for insolvency, will vary depending upon the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied. We cannot be sure which tests and standards a court would apply to determine whether or not the guarantors were solvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the tests and standards, whether the issuance of the guarantee would be voided or subordinated to the guarantor’s other debt.

 

If a court were to find that the incurrence of the guarantee was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under such guarantee or further subordinate such guarantee to

presently existing and future indebtedness of the related guarantor, or require the holders of the notes to repay any amounts received with respect to such guarantee.

 

Although each guarantee entered into by a subsidiary will contain a provision intended to limit that guarantor’s liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer, this provision may not be effective to protect those guarantees from being voided under fraudulent transfer law, or may reduce that guarantor’s obligation to an amount that effectively makes its guarantee worthless.

 

U.S. investors in the notes may have difficulties enforcing civil liabilities.

 

We are incorporated in Canada under the CBCA. Our registered office, as well as a substantial portion of our assets, is located outside the United States. Also, some of our directors, controlling persons and officers and some of the experts named in this prospectus reside in Canada or other jurisdictions outside the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. We have agreed in the indenture governing the notes to accept service of process in New York City, by an agent designated for such purpose, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding relating to the indenture or the notes that is brought in any federal or state court located in New York City, and to submit to the jurisdiction of such courts in connection with such suits, actions or proceedings. However, it may be difficult for holders of notes to effect service of process in the United States on our directors, controlling persons, officers and the experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States or to enforce against them in the United States judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. In addition, there is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against our directors, controlling persons, officers and experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon United States federal securities laws.

 

Canadian bankruptcy and insolvency laws may impair the enforcement of remedies under the notes.

 

The rights of the trustee under the indenture governing the notes to enforce remedies could be significantly impaired by the restructuring provisions of applicable Canadian federal bankruptcy, insolvency and other restructuring legislation if the benefit of such legislation is sought with respect to us. For example, both the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) contain provisions enabling an insolvent person to obtain a stay of proceedings against its creditors and others and to prepare and file a proposal to be voted on by the various classes of its affected creditors. A restructuring proposal, if accepted by the requisite majorities of each affected class of creditors, and if approved by the relevant Canadian court, would be binding on all creditors within each affected class whether or not such creditor voted to accept the proposal. Moreover, this legislation permits the insolvent debtor to retain possession and administration of its property, subject to court oversight, even though it may be in default under the applicable debt instrument during the period the stay against proceedings remains in place.

 

The powers of the court under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) and particularly under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) have been exercised broadly to protect a restructuring entity from actions taken by creditors and other parties. Accordingly, we cannot predict whether payments under the notes would be made during any proceedings in bankruptcy, insolvency or other restructuring, whether or when the trustee for the notes could exercise its rights under the notes indenture or whether, and to what extent, holders of notes would be compensated for any delays in payment, if any, of principal, interest and costs, including the fees and disbursements of the trustee for the notes.

 

Risks Related to the Exchange Offer

 

If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes, your ability to sell your old notes will be restricted.

 

If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer described in the legend on your old notes. The new notes, like the old notes, will remain subject to restrictions on resale in Canada. The restrictions on transfer of your old notes

arise because we issued the old notes in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. In general, you may only offer to sell the old notes if they are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from those requirements. If you are still holding any old notes after the expiration date of the exchange offer and the exchange offer has been consummated, you will not be entitled to have those old notes registered under the Securities Act or to any similar rights under the registration rights agreement, subject to limited exceptions, if applicable. After the exchange offer is completed, we will not be required, and we do not intend, to register the old notes under the Securities Act. In addition, if you do exchange your old notes in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes, you may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if so, will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. To the extent old notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market, if any, for the old notes would be adversely affected.

 

Your ability to transfer the new notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and there is no assurance that any active trading market will develop for the new notes.

 

There is no established public market for the new notes. We do not intend to list the new notes on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. We cannot assure you that an active market for the new notes will develop or, if developed, that it will continue. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt, such as the new notes, has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the new notes. We cannot assure you that the market, if any, for the new notes will be free from similar disruptions, and any such disruptions may adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your new notes.

 

The old notes were issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes and consequently the new notes will be treated as issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

The old notes were issued with original issue discount equal to the excess of the stated principal amount of the notes over the issue price. Consequently, the new notes will be treated as issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and U.S. holders will be required to include original issue discount in gross income on a constant yield to maturity basis in advance of receipt of cash payment thereof. See “Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer — Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”

 

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

 

We have entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the old notes, in which we agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC relating to an offer to exchange the old notes for new notes. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part was filed in compliance with this obligation. We also agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause a registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by August 11, 2010, to offer the new notes in exchange for the old notes as soon as practicable after the effectiveness of the registration statement and to keep the exchange offer open for not less than 30 days after the date notice of the exchange offer is mailed to holders of the old notes. If we do not comply with certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreement, we will incur additional interest expense. The new notes will have terms substantially identical to the old notes except that the new notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions in the United States and registration rights and additional interest payable for the failure to comply with certain obligations. Old notes in an aggregate principal amount of $185,000,000 were issued on August 11, 2009.

 

Under the circumstances set forth below, we will promptly file a shelf registration statement with the SEC covering resales of the old notes or the new notes, as the case may be, use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act and use our commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective until the earliest of (i) the time when the notes covered by the registration statement can be sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act without any limitations, (ii) August 11, 2011 and (iii) the date on which all notes registered under the shelf registration statement are disposed of in accordance therewith. These circumstances include:

 

 

Each holder of old notes that wishes to exchange such old notes for transferable new notes in the exchange offer will be required to make the following representations:

 

 

In addition, each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must, in the absence of an exemption, comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with secondary resales of new notes and cannot rely on the position of the SEC staff set forth in “Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation,” “Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated” or similar no-action letters. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Resale of New Notes

 

Based on interpretations of the SEC staff set forth in no-action letters issued to unrelated third parties, we believe that new notes issued in the exchange offer in exchange for old notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any exchange note holder without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:

 

 

Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the new notes:

 

 

If, as stated above, a holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC set forth in “Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation” or similar interpretive letters, any effective registration statement used in connection with a secondary resale transaction must contain the selling security holder information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, for the resale or for other retransfer of new notes only as specifically set forth in this prospectus. With regard to broker-dealers, only broker-dealers that acquired the old notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes. Please read the section captioned “Plan of Distribution” for more details regarding these procedures for the transfer of new notes. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the exchange offer is consummated, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of the new notes.

 

Terms of the Exchange Offer

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus, we will accept for exchange any old notes properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date. We will issue $2,000 principal amount of new notes in exchange for each $2,000 principal amount of old notes surrendered under the exchange offer. We will issue $1,000 integral multiple amount of new notes in exchange for each $1,000 integral multiple amount of old notes surrendered under the exchange offer. Old notes may be tendered only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

The form and terms of the new notes will be substantially identical to the form and terms of the old notes except the new notes will be registered under the Securities Act, will not bear legends restricting their transfer in the United States and will not provide for any additional interest upon our failure to fulfill our obligations under the registration rights agreement to file, and cause to become effective, a registration statement. The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes. The new notes will be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the same indenture that authorized the issuance of the outstanding old notes. Consequently, both series of notes will be treated as a single class of debt securities under the indenture.

 

The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered for exchange.

As of the date of this prospectus, $185,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the old notes are outstanding. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of old notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.

 

We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreement, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Old notes that are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest and will be entitled to the rights and benefits such holders have under the indenture relating to the old notes.

 

We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered old notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the new notes from us and delivering new notes to such holders. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, we expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and not to accept for exchange any old notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified below under the caption “— Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

 

Holders who tender old notes in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees, or transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of old notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than those transfer taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important that you read the section labeled “— Fees and Expenses” below for more details regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the registration rights agreement, we are not required to make a registered exchange offer in any province or territory of Canada or to accept old notes surrendered by residents of Canada in the registered exchange offer unless the distribution of new notes pursuant to such offer can be effected pursuant to exemptions from the registration and prospectus requirements of the applicable securities laws of such province or territory and, as a condition to the exchange of the old notes pursuant to a registered exchange offer, such holders of old notes in Canada are required to make certain representations to us, including a representation that they are entitled under the applicable securities laws of such province or territory to acquire the new notes without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under such securities laws.

 

We are relying on exemptions from applicable Canadian provincial securities laws to offer the new notes. The new notes may not be sold directly or indirectly in Canada except in accordance with applicable securities laws of the provinces and territories of Canada. We are not required, and do not intend, to qualify the new notes by prospectus in Canada, and accordingly, the new notes will be subject to restrictions on resale in Canada.

 

Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments

 

The exchange offer for the old notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 11, 2010, unless we extend the exchange offer in our sole and absolute discretion.

 

In order to extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally or in writing of any extension. We will notify in writing or by public announcement the registered holders of old notes of the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

 

We reserve the right, in our reasonable discretion:

 

 

 

Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by written notice or public announcement thereof to the registered holders of old notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose such amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of old notes of such amendment, provided that in the event of a material change in the exchange offer, including the waiver of a material condition, we will extend the exchange offer period, if necessary, so that at least five business days remain in the exchange offer following notice of the material change. If we terminate this exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting any old notes for exchange or if we amend the terms of this exchange offer in a manner that constitutes a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will promptly file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, we will in all events comply with our obligation to make prompt payment for all old notes properly tendered and accepted for exchange in the exchange offer.

 

Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make public announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of the exchange offer, we shall have no obligation to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any such public announcement, other than by issuing a timely press release to a financial news service.

 

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

 

Despite any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange any new notes for, any old notes, and we may terminate the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting any old notes for exchange if in our reasonable judgment:

 

 

In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the old notes of any holder that has not made:

 

 

We expressly reserve the right, at any time or at various times on or prior to the scheduled expiration date of the exchange offer, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. Consequently, in the event we extend the period the exchange offer is open, we may delay acceptance of any old notes by giving written notice of such extension to the registered holders of the old notes. During any such extensions, all old notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for exchange unless they have been previously withdrawn. We will return any old notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holder promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

 

We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer on or prior to the scheduled expiration date of the exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any old notes not previously accepted for

exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions to termination of the exchange offer specified above. We will give written notice or public announcement of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the registered holders of the old notes as promptly as practicable. In the case of any extension, such notice will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

 

These conditions are for our sole benefit and we may, in our reasonable discretion, assert them regardless of the circumstances that may give rise to them or waive them in whole or in part at any or at various times except that all conditions to the exchange offer must be satisfied or waived by us prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. If we fail at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights, that failure will not constitute a waiver of such right. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. Any waiver by us will be made by written notice or public announcement to the registered holders of the notes and any such waiver shall apply to all the registered holders of the notes.

 

In addition, we will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and will not issue new notes in exchange for any such old notes, if at such time any stop order is threatened in writing or in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

 

Exchange Offer Procedures

 

Only a holder of old notes may tender such old notes in the exchange offer. If you are a DTC participant that has old notes which are credited to your DTC account by book-entry and which are held of record by DTC’s nominee, as applicable, you may tender your old notes by book-entry transfer as if you were the record holder. Because of this, references herein to registered or record holders include DTC.

 

If you are not a DTC participant, you may tender your old notes by book-entry transfer by contacting your broker, dealer or other nominee or by opening an account with a DTC participant, as the case may be.

 

To tender old notes in the exchange offer:

 

 

Participants in DTC’s ATOP program must electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange by causing DTC to transfer the old notes to the exchange agent in accordance with DTC’s ATOP procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent’s message to the exchange agent. With respect to the exchange of the old notes, the term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that:

 

 

Delivery of an agent’s message will also constitute an acknowledgment from the tendering DTC participant that the representations described below in this prospectus are true and correct.

 

In addition, each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

 

If you desire to tender outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer and (1) time will not permit your letter of transmittal, certificates representing such outstanding notes and all other required documents to reach the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date, or (2) the procedures for book-entry transfer (including delivery of an agent’s message) cannot be completed on or prior to the expiration date, you may nevertheless tender such notes with the effect that such tender will be deemed to have been received on or prior to the expiration date if all the following conditions are satisfied:

 

 

The notice of guaranteed delivery may be sent by hand delivery, facsimile transmission or mail to the exchange agent and must include a guarantee by an eligible guarantor institution in the form set forth in the notice of guaranteed delivery.

 

Book-Entry Transfer

 

The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the old notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus; and any financial institution participating in DTC’s system may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer such old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer.

 

Withdrawal Rights

 

Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

 

To withdraw a tender of old notes in any exchange offer, the applicable exchange agent must receive a letter or facsimile notice of withdrawal at its address set forth below under “— Exchange agent” before the time indicated above. Any notice of withdrawal must:

 

 

We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of notices of withdrawal. Our determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any old notes withdrawn in this manner will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer. We will not issue new notes for such withdrawn old notes unless the old notes are validly retendered. We will return to you any old notes that you have tendered but that we have not accepted for exchange without cost promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may

retender properly withdrawn old notes by following one of the procedures described above at any time before the expiration date.

 

Exchange Agent

 

We have appointed The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as exchange agent for the exchange offer of old notes.

 

You should direct questions and requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of this prospectus to the exchange agent addressed as follows:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

Corporate Trust Operations

Reorganization Unit

101 Barclay Street-7 East

New York, NY 10286

Attn: Mrs. Evangeline R. Gonzales

Tele: 212-815-3738

Facsimile: 212-298-1915

 

Fees and Expenses

 

We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail, however, we may make additional solicitations by telegraph, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.

 

We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Our expenses in connection with the exchange offer include:

 

 

Transfer Taxes

 

We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of old notes under the exchange offer. The tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if:

 

 

If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes is not submitted, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed to that tendering holder.

 

Holders who tender their old notes for exchange will not be required to pay any transfer taxes. However, holders who instruct us to register new notes in the name of, or request that old notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be required to pay any applicable transfer tax.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

 

Holders of old notes who do not exchange their old notes for new notes under the exchange offer, including as a result of failing to timely deliver old notes to the exchange agent, together with all required documentation, will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer of such old notes:

 

 

In addition, you will no longer have any registration rights or be entitled to additional interest with respect to the old notes.

 

In general, you may not offer or sell the old notes unless they are registered under the Securities Act, or if the offer or sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the old notes under the Securities Act. Based on interpretations of the SEC staff, new notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by their holders, other than any such holder that is our “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the holders acquired the new notes in the ordinary course of the holders’ business and the holders have no arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the new notes to be acquired in the exchange offer. Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes:

 

 

After the exchange offer is consummated, if you continue to hold any old notes, you may have difficulty selling them because there will be fewer old notes outstanding.

 

Accounting Treatment

 

We will record the new notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the old notes, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes in connection with the exchange offer.

 

Other

 

Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.

 

We may in the future seek to acquire untendered old notes in the open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any old notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered old notes.

 

This exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement. We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer. You will receive, in exchange for old notes tendered by you and accepted by us in the exchange offer, new notes in the same principal amount. The old notes surrendered in exchange for the new notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the new notes will not result in any increase of our outstanding debt.

 

We used the net proceeds from the sale of the old notes of approximately $175 million to repay (1) the outstanding amount of approximately $94 million under our $100 million unsecured credit facility with an affiliate of the Aditya Birla Group (the “Unsecured Credit Facility”), which was scheduled to mature in January 2015 and bore interest at an annual rate of 13.00% through February 2010 and at 14.00% thereafter and (2) approximately $81 million of the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility, which matures in July 2012 and bears interest at a rate depending on the type of loan, which, as of September 30, 2009, was an annual rate of 2.09%.

 

Novelis Inc. was formed in Canada on September 21, 2004. On January 6, 2005, Alcan transferred its rolled products businesses to Novelis and distributed shares of Novelis to Alcan’s shareholders. On May 15, 2007, we were acquired by Hindalco through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary. We refer to the company prior to the Hindalco acquisition (through May 15, 2007) as the “Predecessor,” and we refer to the company after the Hindalco acquisition (beginning on May 16, 2007) as the “Successor.” On June 26, 2007, our board of directors approved the change of our fiscal year end to March 31 from December 31.

 

The selected consolidated financial data of the Successor presented below as of and for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 has been derived from the unaudited financial statements of Novelis Inc. included elsewhere in this prospectus. The results for the six months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. The selected consolidated financial data of the Successor presented below as of and for the year ended March 31, 2009, as of March 31, 2008 and for the period May 16, 2007 through March 31, 2008 has been derived from the financial statements of Novelis Inc. included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data of the Predecessor presented below for the period April 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007, for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 has been derived from the financial statements of Novelis Inc. included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Selected financial data of the Predecessor presented below as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and as of and for the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 has been derived from the following audited financial statements of Novelis Inc. which are not included in this prospectus: the consolidated balance sheets for Novelis Inc. as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2007; the consolidated and combined statement of operations and statement of operations of Novelis Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2005; the combined statements of operations and statement of operations of Novelis Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2004; the consolidated balance sheets of Novelis Inc. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005; and the combined balance sheet of Novelis Inc. as of December 31, 2004.

 

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, include the results for the period from January 1 to January 5, 2005, prior to our spin-off from Alcan, in addition to the results for the period from January 6 to December 31, 2005. The combined financial results for the period from January 1 to January 5, 2005 present our operations on a carve-out accounting basis. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005, and the consolidated results for the period from January 6 (the date of the spin-off from Alcan) to December 31, 2005, present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as a stand-alone entity.

 

Our historical combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, have been derived from the accounting records of Alcan using the historical results of operations and historical basis of assets and liabilities of the businesses subsequently transferred to us. Management believes the assumptions underlying the historical combined financial statements are reasonable. However, the historical combined financial statements may not necessarily reflect what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented.

The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements for the respective periods included elsewhere in this prospectus and the related notes thereto.