Canadian aluminium giant Alcan Tuesday said that its extruded products unit, had laid the cornerstone of its new aluminium extrusion plant in Slovakia, which is slated to come on stream in the first half of 2007.

The new $35 million plant will operate two aluminium extrusion press lines and ultimately employ about 200 people, the company said in a statement.

Alcan Engineered Products chief Michel Jacques said: "Building on Alcan's successful experience at its Decin facility in the Czech Republic, the Slovakian site strengthens Alcan's long-term position in soft alloy extruded products in Eastern Europe."

Alcan's Extruded Products business unit employs about 3,000 people across nine aluminium extrusion facilities in five countries.