Alcan Selling French Aluminum Recycling Business

Alcan has begun discussions with unions and employee representatives for a proposed sale of selected assets at the company's Affimet aluminum recycling plant in Compiègne, France.

"After thoroughly exploring and examining various alternatives and despite Alcan's considerable efforts to sustain Affimet over the past five years, the site's performance has been adversely affected by challenging market conditions. This proposed course of action represents the most viable solution for ensuring Affimet's future," said Cynthia Carroll, president and CEO, Alcan Primary Metal Group.

The proposed sale of Affimet would result in a sale of the primary casting and processing equipment and business, including the processing of Alcan internal scrap, to U.K.-based RecovCo, a specialist designer and operator of aluminum recovery technologies and facilities focused on transforming aluminum scrap and dross into reusable aluminum metal. The remainder of the Affimet facility would be closed. The site presently employs 212 people; about 85 would continue to work for RecovCo following the sale.