Alcoa Plant in Brazil Profiled by United Nations and WBCSD for World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Business Editors

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 2002

Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) announced today that its Alumar alumina refinery and primary smelting facility located in Sao Luis, Brazil, was one of 10 businesses selected for inclusion in a case study report on fostering sustainable development in developing countries jointly prepared by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The report, Developing Countries and Technology Cooperation: an industrial capacity building perspective, will be shared with delegates attending the World Summit on Sustainable Development being held in Johannesburg from August 26 to September 4. More than 40,000 delegates and over 60 heads of state are expected to attend.

The study provides new examples of technology cooperation and insights into the way business is contributing to the creation of more sustainable livelihoods from the perspective of 10 member companies of the WBCSD. Technology, in this report, is defined as a system of knowledge, skills, expertise, and organization used to produce and utilize goods and services that satisfy social demand.

The Alcoa case study details the technologies that make Alumar one of the company's most modern plants and the intensive and extensive training programs that have enabled the local people to form a dedicated, high-performance workforce. Alcoa's Values, training and financial support were made available to Alumar, along with technical assistance to the employees in Brazil. In particular, employees at Alumar have been noted for developing a strong commitment to policies, cost awareness and a sense of ownership, as well as improved group work and responsibility for self-development, the report states.

"Alumar's reputation for sustainable industrial development is well earned. The facility is frequently recognized in Alcoa's internal audit of environmental best practices and conforms consistently to Alcoa's aggressive long-term environmental strategy," said William J. O'Rourke, Alcoa's vice president of Environment, Health & Safety and Audit. Alumar's emissions levels are currently 70% below legal requirements, supporting Alcoa's overall goal of significantly reducing greenhouse gases and other pollutants over the next decade. Alumar is also recognized for achievements in waste management and land management.

The environment is a key part of Alumar's community outreach programs as well. The facility supports a 4500-acre environmental park on its grounds that serves as a wildlife conservation and educational resource for the local community

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 to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, 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 129,000 employees in 38 countries.

The WBCSD is a coalition of 160 international companies united by a commitment to sustainable development via economic growth, ecological balance and social progress. The UNIDO is a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to promoting sustainable industrial development in countries with developing and transition economies.

To read the UNIDO and WBCSD summary report Volume I click on www.wbcsd.org/newscenter/reports/2002/technology-cooperation.pdf

To read entire report - Volume II click on www.wbcsd.org/newscenter/reports/2002/technology-cooperation2.pdf

See Alcoa's long-term environmental strategy http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/environment/goals.asp

Read about the Alumar Environmental Park that is part of the Alumar smelter complex www.alcoa.com/global/en/environment/initiatives/alumar_environ.asp

Read about Alcoa's operations in Brazil http://www.alcoa.com/brazil/en/home.asp

Read how Alcoa is working with the Brazilian government to develop sustainable power www.alcoa.com/global/en/environment/initiatives/brazil.asp? initCountry=1

Read how Alcoa Foundation is sponsoring a program to teach young Brazilians modern conservation techniques. www.alcoa.com/global/en/community/foundation_rpt_2001/grantmaking/ vicosa.htm

(Due to the length of these URLs, it may be necessary to copy and paste these hyperlinks into your Internet browser's URL address field.)