Novelis to Invest $15 Million in Aluminum Recycling Expansion in Brazil

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May 19, 2010, 05:23 ET

SAO PAULO, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Novelis do Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Novelis Inc., the worldwide leader in aluminum rolled products and can recycling, announced today that it has begun work on a US$15 million expansion of recycling capacity at its integrated aluminum rolling and recycling complex in Pindamonhangaba, Sao Paulo.

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The investment will include the addition of two new furnaces and related improvements, which will increase the plant's capacity to recycle used beverage cans and other aluminum scrap by one third to 200,000 metric tons per year. The expansion will allow a nearly 20 percent increase in sheet ingot production to feed the plant's rolling mills. The new equipment is expected to come on stream in the spring of 2011.

"Improving our ability to recycle metal and manage our molten metal flow allows us to increase production of rolling ingot for our mills and reduces the need to purchase ingot from external parties," said Alexandre Almeida, senior vice president of Novelis Inc. and president, Novelis South America. "The overall effect is a more efficient operation to help us respond to our customers' needs."

Novelis is Brazil's leading producer of flat rolled aluminum products and its largest recycler of beverage cans, processing approximately 8 billion cans in 2009. The aluminum can is an environmental success story in a country where the recycling rate is currently estimated at better than 91 percent, placing Brazil among the world leaders in beverage can recycling.

Novelis' assets in Brazil include primary aluminum units in Aratu (BA) and Ouro Preto (MG), aluminum rolling operations in Pindamonhangaba and Santo Andre (SP), and nine hydropower plants located throughout the State of Minas Gerais. For more information on Novelis in Brazil, visit www.novelis.com.br.

About Novelis

Novelis Inc. is the global leader in aluminum rolled products and aluminum can recycling. The company operates in more than 11 countries, has approximately 12,000 employees and reported revenue of US$10.2 billion in fiscal year 2009. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, one of Asia's largest integrated producers of aluminum and a leading copper producer. Hindalco is the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. For more information, visit www.novelis.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this news release which describe Novelis' intentions, expectations or predictions may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include references to Novelis' expectations regarding anticipated increases in sheet ingot production at its rolling mills. Novelis cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important risk factors which could impact outcomes are included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009.

SOURCE Novelis Inc.