Filed by Alcan Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14d-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Subject Company: Pechiney
Registration
Statement No. 333-106851
Date: September
29,
2003
Further information
Alcan has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement to register the Alcan Common Shares to be issued in the proposed transaction, including related tender/exchange offer materials. Investors and Pechiney securityholders are urged to read the registration statement and related tender/exchange offer materials (when available) and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they contain important information. Investors and Pechiney securityholders may obtain a free copy of the registration statement and related tender/exchange offer materials (when available) and other relevant documents at the SEC's Internet web site at www.sec.gov and Pechiney securityholders will receive information at an appropriate time on how to obtain transaction-related documents for free from Alcan.
This communication is for informational purposes only. It shall not constitute an offer to purchase or buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange any securities of Pechiney, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The solicitation of offers to buy Alcan Common Shares will only be made pursuant to a prospectus and related materials that Alcan expects to send to Pechiney securityholders. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be effected prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements made in this communication are forward-looking statements. Although Alcan's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements by their nature involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Many factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including those listed under "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements " and "Risk Factors" in the preliminary prospectus included in the registration statement we have filed with the SEC in connection with our proposed offer for certain securities of Pechiney. See the previous paragraph for information about how you can obtain a free copy of the registration statement.
| Press Release |
A |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alcan Offer for Pechiney Receives European
Commission Clearance
The successful realization of a critical condition to the
completion of the offer has been achieved
Montreal, Canada - September 29, 2003 -
Alcan Inc. [NYSE, TSX: AL] is pleased to announce the European Commission has granted clearance under the Merger Regulation of Alcan's tender offer for the acquisition of Pechiney [NYSE: PY, PARIS: PEC], subject to the agreed conditions and commitments summarized below. Alcan also announced today that it expects to reach a resolution shortly regarding the U.S. Department of Justice's review of the offer.Travis Engen, President and CEO of Alcan Inc. stated, "Obtaining the European Commission's clearance is the realization of an important condition to the completion of our offer. As we continue to move ahead, I look forward to working with our counterparts at Pechiney for a successful conclusion of the transaction."
To meet the Commission's regulatory concerns, Alcan has undertaken to divest either its 50% share in the AluNorf rolling mill and its Göttingen and Nachterstedt rolling mills or Pechiney's rolling mills at Neuf-Brisach, Rugles and, if necessary, the Annecy rolling mill. Alcan's Latchford casting operations can also be added to either the AluNorf or Neuf-Brisach packages.
In addition, Alcan has agreed to undertakings with the European Commission for the licensing of alumina refining technology, aluminum smelter cell technology and anode baking furnace designs. Alcan will also eliminate the overlap arising from Alcan's and Pechiney's activities in aluminum aerosol cans and aluminum cartridges.
Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging, as well as aluminum recycling with 2002 revenues of US$12.5 billion. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 54,000 people and has operating facilities in 42 countries.
Pursuant to article 7 of the COB Regulation no 2002-04, this press release was remitted to the (French) Commission des opérations de bourse prior to its release.
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Media contact |
Investor contact |
|
Joseph Singerman |
Corey Copeland |
|
+1 514 848-1355 |
+1 514 848-8368 |