Operations & financial report

Packaging

RTA's Packaging business unit enjoys market leading positions in each of the four packaging segments in which it operates; Food Flexible, Pharmaceutical and Medical, Beauty and Personal Care, and Tobacco. It is one of the few participants in its product markets with a truly global reach having executed considerable expansion into emerging countries and regions over the last few years. The business delivers innovative packaging solutions using plastics, engineered films, aluminium, paper, paperboard and glass to customers worldwide. As at 31 December 2007, the business unit comprised 129 operating sites in 31 countries and regions around the world. The potential divestment of the Packaging business unit was being explored by Alcan during the first half of 2007 and was confirmed in the announcement by Rio Tinto of an agreed bid for Alcan on 12 July, 2007. The sale process for the Packaging business unit is ongoing.