Highlights of Alcoa's Commitment to Sustainable Development

Highlights of Alcoa's Commitment to Sustainable Development

February 15, 2005

This periodic newsletter offers a roundup of recent highlights from Alcoa’s operations worldwide. Taken individually, these summaries provide insight into Alcoa’s performance in the economic, environmental, and social realms. Taken together, they reveal the breadth of activity that ultimately delivers a sustainable outcome.

More detail about Alcoa can be found on our website, www.alcoa.com.

Alcoa Named One of Top Three Most Sustainable Corporations in the World

Alcoa was recognized in the inaugural Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World for its ability to meet the triple bottom line.

Alcoa Hydro Relicensing Protects Jobs, Pristine Land

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensed four of Alcoa’s hydroelectric dams in Tennessee and North Carolina while preserving more than 10,000 acres of land in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Alcoa Achieves Highest Annual Revenue in Company History

Alcoa’s full-year 2004 income from continuing operations was $1.402 billion, up 33% from $1.055 billion in the previous year.

Alcoa to Own AFL Auto; Fujikura to Own AFL Telecommunications

Alcoa signed a letter of intent with Fujikura, Ltd. of Japan in which Alcoa will obtain complete ownership of the AFL automotive business and Fujikura will obtain complete ownership of the AFL telecommunications business.

Engagement, Environmental Assessment Underscore Upgrade Approval

A state-of-the-art environmental impact assessment and an innovative community engagement process helped Alcoa’s Pinjarra refinery in Australia receive government approval of an efficiency upgrade in seven months.

Using One Process Waste to Neutralize Another

By using waste carbon dioxide (CO2) to neutralize the alkalinity in bauxite residue, Alcoa’s Kwinana refinery in Australia has lowered environmental risks, increased opportunities to reuse a solid waste, and reduced the need for significant ongoing management of bauxite residue storage areas.

Dynamic System Reduces River Fluoride Levels

Alcoa’s Deschambault smelter in Canada is using an innovative technique called dynamic rainwater management to determine how much stored rainwater the smelter can release into a nearby river to keep fluoride levels within acceptable limits.

Continuous Safety Improvement Nets Injury Reductions, Recognition

Alcoa’s San Ciprian primary aluminum plant in Spain embarked on continuous safety improvements that reduced lost workdays and total recordable injuries and garnered recognition as the best 2003 safety performer among European smelters.

Training Speaks the Language of Safety

Alcoa’s packaging facility in Avenel, New Jersey, sponsored and helped conduct much-needed safety training for the underserved Hispanic segment of the U.S. working population.

Improving the Quality of Life in Jamaica

Alcoa Foundation invested approximately US$375,000 in programs to improve the quality of life in Jamaica in 2004, bringing its five-year investment in the nation to nearly US$1 million.

Alcoa Foundation Invests Nearly US$250,000 in Guinea

Alcoa Foundation invested nearly $250,000 in three programs to improve educational and family planning services in Guinea, West Africa. This most recent investment brings total charitable investments in the country to approximately US$1 million since 2001.

Alcoa Provides Support to Tsunami Victims

Alcoa matched employee contributions to the American Red Cross in an effort to help survivors of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Southeast Asia. Alcoa Foundation and Alcoa of Australia also made grants to relief organizations.

We welcome your [email protected] comments or questions on Alcoa’s sustainability efforts. We won’t necessarily reply to every e-mail we receive, but we do read and consider them all.

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