Alcan Extruded Products to Provide Lightweight EcoRange(R) Technology for a Contract of 600 low CO2 Emission Buses to Singapore's Main Public Transportation Company

PARIS, October 7 -- Alcan Extruded Products, part of Alcan Engineered Products - a business unit of Rio Tinto - will supply SBS Transit, Singapore's main public transport company, with aluminium extrusions, sheets, and joining elements for 600 additional low CO2 emission Scania city buses featuring the Alcan EcoRange(R) body structure system.

"This new order means that around 50 per cent of SBS Transit's total bus fleet, or 1100 Scania buses, will use our unique EcoRange(R) solutions, which help meet today's environmental challenges. This is a clear recognition of aluminium's role as a material of choice for lightweight body technology, which helps reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions," said Reinhard Fleer, president, Alcan Extruded Products.

The Alcan EcoRange(R) body structure system includes high-performance aluminium extrusions and panels, as well as aluminium bolted connections for fast and easy assembly. In addition to benefits in reduced weight and fuel consumption, EcoRange(R) solutions meet the highest safety standards.

The new series of SBS Transit buses uses Scania's new 230hp, nine-litre engine with gas recirculation technology that meets both the 2009 European emission standards (Euro 5) and the stricter enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle (EEV) standard.

The buses' bodywork is built by Gemilang Coachworks in Malaysia, a long-time partner of Alcan Extruded Products. Production and delivery of the buses will take place until May 2010.

Alcan Extruded Products is a key player in the European market, focusing on specialty products for the mass transit sector. It has production facilities in France, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Alcan Engineered Products is a global sector-leading business strongly committed to developing innovative, value-added products for a broad range of markets and applications. Its portfolio consists of seven downstream businesses: aerospace, non commodity aluminium rolled products, aluminium extrusions, cable, composite products, automotive structures and international trade.

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 further information: Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations: Stefano Bertolli, +1-514-848-8151, stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com; Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Paris: Chrystele Ivins, +33-1-57-00-24-18, chrystele.ivins@riotinto.com; http://www.riotintoalcan.com/