Overview

Alcan has had a major presence in British Columbia for over half a century.  Alcan B.C. is one of the largest manufacturing complexes in the province, and has been a significant contributor to economic and community sustainability in northern B.C.

Its aluminum smelter is located alongside a deep-water port immediately south of the community of Kitimat.  It has an annual rated production capacity of 275,000 tonnes of value-added primary aluminum products that are shipped to numerous Pacific Rim markets.

The smelter uses hydroelectricity generated at Alcan B.C.’s Kemano power station, which is powered by the waters of the Nechako Reservoir located further to the east.  

While its main operations are centered along the northwest coast, Alcan B.C. maintains infrastructure and a corporate presence across a large portion of northern B.C., and has environmental management responsibilities extending even further.  Within B.C., the total direct economic contribution of its operations amounts to some $270 million annually.

Alcan’s B.C. operations are part of the Alcan Primary Metal Group (APMG), one of the four business groups that make up the worldwide operations of Montreal-based Alcan Inc.  The Kitimat smelter is one of 22 in the APMG global network.

Aluminum is versatile, lightweight, and infinitely recyclable.  Already among the world’s most widely used metals, aluminum continues to grow as the material of choice in a diverse range of applications such as packaging, construction, transportation and aerospace.

Alcan Inc., with 2006 revenues of US$23.6 billion, is a leading global materials company, delivering high-quality products and services worldwide. The people of Alcan B.C. are among 65,000 Alcan employees in 61 countries and regions.