Alcan Inc said it will invest in a new composite material processing and conversion facility in Shanghai.

The Montreal-based metals and composite firm said the site will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2008.

"This new conversion center will enable Alcan to offer leading-edge composite core material and will allow us to improve our lead times and services to our customers in the rapidly expanding Chinese and Asia-Pacific wind energy, marine and mass transportation markets," said Pierre Moneton, president of Alcan Composites.