Novelis represents a unique combination of the new and the old. Novelis is a new company, formed in January 2005, with a new velocity, a new philosophy and a new attitude. But Novelis is also a spin-off from Alcan and, as such, draws on a rich 90-year history in the aluminium rolled product marketplace.

Novelis inherited its processes, structure and values from Alcan. In 1902, the Canadian subsidiary of the Pittsburgh Reduction Company (later re-named Alcoa) was first chartered as the Northern Aluminium Company, Limited. When Alcoa divested most of its interests outside the United States in 1928, Alcan was formed as a separate company from Alcoa to assume control of most of these interests. In the following years Alcan expanded globally, building or acquiring hydroelectric power, smelting, packaging and fabricated product facilities run by approximately 88,000 employees in 63 countries.

The first Alcan rolling operation began in 1916 in Toronto, Canada, with an 84-inch hot mill and three finishing mills. Over the years Alcan constructed a number of mills, including several that are among the largest aluminium rolling operations in each of the geographic regions in which Novelis operates:

Oswego, United States (1963) - hot-rolling mill began operations and is now a major producer of can stock and industrial sheet.

Norf, Germany (1967) - a joint venture, owned at 50%, operates the world’s largest hot mill rolling facility in terms of capacity.

Saguenay Works, Canada (1971) – the largest continuous caster in the world in terms of capacity.

Pindamonhangaba, Brazil (1977) – the only South American plant producing beverage can body and end stock.

More recent expansion has been through acquisitions and modernisation of existing mills, which expanded Alcan's can stock, sheet, and foil rolling capabilities.

Novelis was formed to acquire and independently carry on most of the aluminium rolled products businesses operated by Alcan. Today we are the world's largest leading aluminium rolled products producer, with a "new" approach to business that is more focused on helping our customers perform and on transforming new ideas into practical product solutions. We are committed to operating with a speed and agility that helps our customers go to market faster.