Alcoa Prepares for Shutdown of Intalco Smelter

PITTSBURGH--July 30, 2003--Alcoa announced today that it is preparing to temporarily curtail production at its Ferndale, Washington ("Intalco") aluminum smelter on September 30, 2003 because of an expected Bonneville Power Administration ("BPA") rate increase, sharply increasing costs at the plant. In April, the company announced that higher power rates would make the plant uncompetitive globally. As required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), Alcoa has sent notices to all Intalco employees advising them that layoffs or closure are possible after 60 days.

"Since there has been no indication that BPA will significantly lower power rates, we have to prepare for a curtailment," said Bernt Reitan, Vice President -- Alcoa and President of Alcoa Primary Metals. "In fairness to our employees, our shareholders and the community, we felt we must proceed with the notification."

The plant will curtail operations unless there is significant change in the power price or market conditions overall. The closing is expected to lower Alcoa's net income for the third quarter of 2003 by approximately $4 million as a result of closure and severance costs.

Production and Energy at Intalco

Alcoa is currently running two full pot-lines at the Intalco plant with approximately 110,000 metric tons per year of production. Alcoa's interim power supply agreement with BPA is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2003, and the price increases are scheduled to go into effect at that time. In the future, Alcoa may adjust production at Intalco as market conditions warrant.

Impact on Workforce

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice will state that the last day of work for all employees is October 1, 2003. Employees will be paid through September 30th. If Intalco is able to secure power rates that allow it to operate at a profitable level and curtailment is not necessary, the workforce would receive a cancellation of the notice.

The employees at Intalco have also qualified for federal retraining benefits under the 1974 Trade Act. All workers who are laid off or whose jobs are reduced to part time between May 1, 20034, 2002 and June 26, 2005 may be eligible for benefits and services in addition to those allowed under state law.

Alcoa owns 61 percent of the Intalco facility with the remainder owned by a Japanese consortium.

Alcoa Smelting Capacity

When the Intalco curtailment is implemented, the company will have approximately 615,000 mtpy of idled capacity on a base primary aluminum capacity of 3.9 million mtpy.

Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses as a single solution to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) aluminum foil, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 127,000 employees in 40 countries. For more information go to www.alcoa.com

Forward Looking Statement

Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include Alcoa's inability to achieve the cost-savings for the facility, power costs, economic incentives and other risk factors summarized in Alcoa's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.