Sell Integris Metals

BHP Billiton Limited
27 October 2004

     BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure
  obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

    The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc
                                    earlier.



                  ALCOA, BHP BILLITON TO SELL INTEGRIS METALS
                       TO RYERSON TULL FOR US$660 MILLION



New York, NY - October 26, 2004 -- Alcoa Inc. and BHP Billiton today announced
they have agreed to sell 100% of their respective equity interests in Integris
Metals to Ryerson Tull for US$410 million in cash plus assumption of Integris'
debt, which was approximately US$250 million as of October 1, 2004. Alcoa and
BHP Billiton each own 50% of Integris Metals. The transaction is expected to be
completed by early 2005.

Integris Metals, a metals service center company engaged in the processing and
distribution of metals, was formed in November 2001 through the combination of
Reynolds Aluminum Supply Company (RASCO) and North America Metals Distribution
(NAMD), Inc., the metals distribution businesses of Alcoa and BHP Billiton,
respectively. Integris Metals has approximately 2400 employees. The
shareholders' stated strategic intent was to create value through the
combination of RASCO and NAMD and then exit the business when appropriate, as
the metals distribution business was not core to either shareholder.

In August, Alcoa and BHP Billiton announced that Integris Metals had filed a
registration statement with the SEC for an initial public offering (IPO) of its
stock. Ryerson Tull approached the companies after the IPO filing and, as a
result, a sale to Ryerson Tull is now agreed.

Alcoa and BHP Billiton were advised in the transaction by Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. The sale of Integris to Ryerson
Tull will be subject to normal regulatory approvals.

For further information:

Alcoa Investor Contact
William F. Oplinger
[phone]

Alcoa Media Contact
Kevin G. Lowery
[phone]
Mobile [phone]

BHP Billiton Investor/Media
Francis McAllister
[phone]





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