Alcoa Recognized with Nation Quality Award of Chile; The Award is Comparable to the U.S. Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

NEW YORK & SANTIAGO, Chile -- Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that its Closure Systems International (CSI) business in Chile received the country's prestigious 2005 National Quality Award in the Medium-sized Companies category, for quality management in production and service. Alcoa was presented the award by President of Chile Michelle Bachelett during a ceremony at the Estacion Mapocho Cultural Center in Santiago recently. President Bachelett affirmed that the companies recognized with the award stand out for excellent management.

The Chilean National Quality Award was created in 1997 by the National Quality and Productivity Center formed by industry, trade and government representatives, and is comparable to the U.S. Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award for excellence in business performance.

Alcoa CSI Chile annually produces more than 1.4 billion plastic closures for the Chilean beverage industry and capping machinery and equipment. "We are honored to be the recipient of this distinguished national award. This recognition reflects the effort of the employees of Alcoa CSI Chile to meet competitive challenges and improve global management processes and establish the best standards of excellence in the company," said Lance Mitchell, President of Alcoa CSI.

"I am proud of the employees of CSI Chile for their effort and commitment in their quest for excellence in business performance," said Miguel Martinez, General Manager of Alcoa CSI Chile.

In addition to the National Quality Award, Alcoa CSI Chile was also recently named the 7th Best Company to Work for in Chile and the top in Respect, one of the five criterion measured in a survey conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute, an international consulting firm that specializes in assessing the quality of life of employees in the environment.

About Alcoa CSI

Alcoa CSI is a major supplier of plastic and aluminum closures and packaging equipment to global soft drink, juice, bottled water, dairy, beer, food, liquor, pharmaceutical, personal care, automotive fluids and other markets. Alcoa CSI locations in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, UK, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Russia, Bahrain, Nepal, China, Korea, Japan and Philippines manufacture plastic closures utilizing the patented Alcoa (H-C) compression molding process. In its 27 locations and offices worldwide, Alcoa CSI employs nearly 3,000 persons.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, 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 closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 43 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.