MONTREAL, May 7 /PRNewswire/ - Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging,
part of Rio Tinto Alcan's packaging unit, has launched a new
StabilitySolutions(TM) product line of high barrier plastic bottles. The
product development and production come from the Alcan Packaging plastics
business headquartered in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

    "This is a groundbreaking, innovative product for pharmaceuticals that
require the highest moisture and oxygen barrier," said Michael Rubenstein,
chief growth and innovation officer, Alcan Packaging.
"StabilitySolutions(TM) DRY and StabilitySolutions(TM) BARRIER use patent
pending technologies to ensure that the customers' products maintain their
efficacy longer, delivering the greatest possible benefit to patients."

    StabilitySolutions(TM) DRY is a bi-layer desiccant container for oral
solid products that offers improved product protection and product shelf
life. The patent pending technology incorporates desiccant material into
the product contact layer of the bi-layer container, eliminating the need
for a desiccant sachet or canister. The integration of this feature into
the bottle wall thickness itself can add filling line efficiencies
resulting in significant cost savings to customers.

    StabilitySolutions(TM) BARRIER is a tri-layer container for oral solid
dose products using patented and patent pending technology that sandwiches
the high oxygen barrier ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) between two layers of
high density polyethylene (HDPE). This approach results in pharmaceutical
bottles that provide remarkable oxygen barrier protection coupled with the
reliable moisture barrier characteristics offered by HDPE.

    "The StabilitySolutions(TM) product line demonstrates our belief that
packaging can add exceptional value to our customers' products", commented
Mike Schmitt, president, Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging. "Our
innovation efforts are uniquely focused on our customers' specialized
needs, working collaboratively with them to optimize product integrity
while delivering a high level of customization for their individual product
requirements."

    Alcan Packaging is a world leader in value-added specialty packaging.
It delivers multi-materials and innovative solutions to customers around
the world for the food, pharmaceutical, beauty and tobacco markets. Led by
Ilene Gordon, president and CEO, Alcan Packaging is headquartered in Paris,
France, with 128 facilities and 30,000 employees in 31 countries, it
generated US$6.2 billion revenues in 2007. For more information, please
visit http://www.alcanpackaging.com.

    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.

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