Amcor Offers to Acquire Parts of Alcan Packaging

MELBOURNE, Australia -

Amcor has offered to acquire parts of Alcan Packaging for US$2025 million from Rio Tinto. The Alcan Packaging businesses which Amcor has agreed to acquire include: Alcan Packaging Global Pharmaceuticals, Alcan Packaging Food Europe, Alcan Packaging Food Asia and Alcan Packaging Global Tobacco.

The combined company will be one of the world’s leading packaging companies with significant breadth of expertise, products and services. As at June 2009, Amcor generated AU$9.53 billion in sales from operations in 34 countries and has 226 sites worldwide, with approximately 21,000 employees. The parts of Alcan Packaging that Amcor has offered to acquire would add approximately US$4.1 billion in sales and 14,000 employees across 80 plants in 28 countries.

The proposed acquisition will also support Amcor’s stated objective of growing in its strategic business areas of flexible packaging and folding cartons packaging. It reaffirms the company’s commitment to the packaging industry.

According to Amcor Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ken MacKenzie, “We believe that this acquisition will bring customers of both Amcor and Alcan Packaging even greater value through broader offerings and enhanced customer service. Critically, beyond the hard assets, the combined company will draw on the best people from both organisations to drive these improvements.”

Amcor is in a solid financial position as a result of “The Way Forward”, Amcor’s get-fit program initiated in 2005. This program was designed to improve core competencies across a range of disciplines and to create a more focused portfolio of businesses. Improvements in capital discipline and cost controls have ensured that the company is in a good position to take advantage of acquisition opportunities.

“While these are difficult economic times globally, Amcor is in a solid financial position,” said Mr. MacKenzie. “We made the tough decisions several years ago to reshape our company through focus and discipline. This acquisition is a clear fit with our strategic growth plans, building greater shareholder value by expanding our business whilst obtaining the economies of scale that comes with an opportunity such as this.”

“Growing our businesses in a sustainable manner was always our stated intention and we are pleased to have entered into this agreement. We are committed to becoming a leader in the global packaging industry,” said Mr. MacKenzie.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals as well as consultation with European Works Councils. Closing of the acquisition is not expected to occur for several months. Until this time, both Amcor and Alcan Packaging will continue to operate as separately run companies.

About Amcor

Amcor is a global packaging manufacturer offering a broad range of plastic, fibre, metal and glass packaging products and associated packaging related services. It operates through five substantial operating divisions across Australasia, North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Amcor’s headquarters are in Melbourne, Australia. The company operates in 34 countries with 226 sites across those countries and employs approximately 21,000 people worldwide. For the year ended 30 June 2009, Amcor generated AUD $9.53 billion in revenue. For more information visit www.amcor.com

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa. For more information visit www.riotinto.com

About Alcan Packaging

Alcan Packaging (Rio Tinto Group) is a world leader in value-added specialty packaging and delivering innovative solutions using plastics, engineered film, aluminium, paper, paperboard and glass to customers around the world. Alcan Packaging is headquartered in Paris, France. The Alcan Packaging businesses which Amcor has offered to acquire have 14,000 employees across 80 plants in 28 countries. For more information visit www.alcanpackaging.com

For further information contact: Amcor Corporate Amcor in Australia, New Zealand and Asia John Murray john.murray@amcor.com.au Ph: +61-3-9226-9005 Amcor Flexibles Food & Healthcare Liesl Weber liesl.weber@amcor-flexibles.com Ph: +32-2-416-26-39 Amcor Rentsch (Tobacco Packaging) Cassandra Biehler cassandra.biehler@amcor-rentsch.com Ph: +41-0-79-717-2195 Amcor PET Packaging Shelley Steele shelley.steele@amcorpet.com Ph: +1-734-302-2264

Source: Amcor

Amcor in Australia, New Zealand and Asia: John Murray of Amcor Corporate, +61-3-9226-9005, john.murray at amcor.com.au; or Liesl Weber of Amcor Flexibles Food & Healthcare, +32-2-416-26-39, liesl.weber at amcor-flexibles.com; or Cassandra Biehler of Amcor Rentsch (Tobacco Packaging), +41-0-79-717-2195, cassandra.biehler at amcor-rentsch.com; or Shelley Steele of Amcor, PET Packaging, +1-734-302-2264, shelley.steele at amcorpet.com