Alcoa AFL Automotive and Altair Nanotechnologies to Jointly Develop High Performance Battery Pack System; Nano-Titanate Battery Has Key Advantages over Conventional Lithium Batteries

DETROIT & RENO, Nev.--Sept. 6, 2006--Alcoa's AFL Automotive business and Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Altairnano) announced today that they have signed an agreement to develop a battery pack system for medium-duty hybrid trucks.

The collaboration brings together Altairnano's innovative nano-titanate battery technology and AFL Automotive's expertise in vehicle electrical distribution systems, power management electronics and its substantial presence as a world renowned supplier to the automotive market. Alcoa is also a major supplier of light-weight, high-strength aluminum components to the automotive industry that improve performance while increasing fuel efficiency.

The agreement provides for the delivery of an integrated battery pack system for the medium-duty hybrid truck market using Altairnano's NanoSafe(TM) battery technology and AFL Automotive's electrical interconnect and application technology to integrate the battery pack system into the vehicle's electrical architecture.

"This presents a new business opportunity for AFL Automotive as we pursue adding power storage to the overall advanced power management system that we currently supply the automotive industry," said Allen Zwierzchowski, President, Worldwide Components Alcoa AFL Automotive.

"This new collaboration provides Altairnano with the opportunity to expand the market for our novel battery technology. It furthers demonstrates the technology potential of our NanoSafe(TM) nano-titanate batteries," said Altairnano President and CEO Alan J. Gotcher Ph.D.

The scope of the joint development agreement involves system design, development and prototyping, which is expected to be completed in early 2007.

About AFL Automotive

AFL Automotive, an Alcoa business, is a world leader in the design, development and production of high quality electrical and electronic distribution systems for personal and commercial vehicles, working with vehicle manufacturers and their sub-suppliers in the major automotive centers in China, Japan, Asia, Europe and the United States. AFL Automotive has more than 60 locations in 11 countries and 35,000 associates around the world focused on its customers. To learn more about AFL Automotive visit www.alcoa.com

About Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.

Altairnano is a leading provider of advanced nanomaterials and alternate energy solutions for use in energy, automotive, and other industrial applications. Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced ceramic nanomaterials. With a skilled team of scientists coupled in collaborative ventures with industry partners and leading academic centers, have developed a unique portfolio of intellectual property and novel products. These researchers are complemented by a seasoned management team with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. Altairnano focuses on nanotechnology applications to enable new high-growth markets. In alternative energy Altairnano is pioneering new battery materials and systems. For additional information visit www.altairnano.com.