Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) has won a Stevie Award for "Best Overall Company" in the first International Business Awards, an all-encompassing business awards program honouring great performances in the workplace.

The honour comes just days after Fortune magazine named Alcan the world's most admired metals company.

International Business Awards judges recognized Alcan for its disciplined planning, business mix and competitive advantages that have helped its industry, its employees, its customers and its investors prosper.

"It's a tremendous honour for Alcan to receive an international business award, especially in the category of Best Overall Company," said Alcan President and CEO Travis Engen. "This event recognizes something that we at Alcan have known for quite some time: Alcan is a truly exceptional company poised for continued success."

Recipients of 67 International Stevie Award trophies were selected from among almost 500 nominations received from companies and individuals in more than 30 countries. Countries with at least one International Stevie winner each include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, South Korea, India, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Other major companies recognized in other award categories include Monsanto, Hitachi, UPS, Kraft Foods and Lands' End.

Companies from throughout the world are eligible to compete in the International Business Awards, and can enter any of more than 40 categories from Best Multinational Company and Best New Product to Best Sales Team and Best Executive.

Judges include leading executives from business and media around the world. Award recipients will be honoured at a March 22 ceremony in New York. A complete list of International Stevie winners and other details are available at www.stevieawards.com/iba.

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging, as well as aluminum recycling. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, today's Alcan is even better positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 88,000 people and has operating facilities in 63 countries.

The Stevies™ were created to honour and generate public recognition of the efforts, accomplishments, and positive contributions of companies and business people worldwide. Beginning with the introduction of The American Business Awards^SM in 2002, and The International Business Awards^SM in 2003, the organization's mission is to raise the profile of exemplary companies and individuals among the press, the business community, and the general public. The New York Post called the Stevies "the business world's own Oscar Awards." Honouring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Awards recognize outstanding leadership, innovation, perseverance, creativity, teamwork, and integrity. Sponsors of the 2004 International Business Awards include the Financial Times, BusinessDay, the BusinessTalk Radio Network, Clickmedios, Mundo Ejecutivo, Propaganda & Marketing, Selling Power Magazine, and Semana Economica.

Media Contact:
Joseph Singerman
(514) 848-1355

Investor Contact:
Corey Copeland
(514) 848-8368