The changes we are announcing today in Europe are part of the overall re- alignment of our businesses

Travis Engen

The company said Glasgow was too far away from its suppliers and customers.

Alcan said that it could not justify keeping on its Glasgow operations in the current economic conditions.

The jobs cuts are among 850 planned in Europe by the Canadian company, the world's second largest aluminium manufacturer.

The move is the first step of a restructuring plan announced in October.

Alcan is also cutting 310 jobs at its plant in Rogerstone in south east Wales over the next year, a move which will halve the current workforce.

Business viability

The company also plans to make 95 redundancies at its facility in Kreuzlngen, Switzerland, which employs 550 workers.

A further 200 employees will be affected by a reorganisation of Italian operations at Pieve, near Milan.

Alcan's president and chief executive Travis Engen said: "The changes we are announcing today in Europe are part of the overall re- alignment of our businesses to increase Alcan's ability to deliver competitive products to our customers and to ensure the viability of our businesses."