Ardagh Group opens beverage can end facility in northern Brazil

Packaging manufacturer Ardagh Group has opened a new can end facility in Brazil that will increase its capabilities in metal beverage packaging.

The plant in Manaus, in northern Amazonas state, is fitted with production and inspection equipment capable of producing 12 million ends a day.

Ardagh Group said the new facility will employ more than 80 people and will “consolidate the company’s position as a leading producer of beverage cans and ends in Brazil”.

The Luxembourg-based company said that its customer base for cans was growing. With plastic under growing environmental pressure, aluminium’s protective qualities, versatility and infinite recyclability are likely to be an invaluable asset for the group.

Augusto Seoane, operations director for Ardagh Metal Beverage Brazil, said: “This significant investment in Manaus strengthens Ardagh Group’s position in the Brazilian market place, and complements our beverage can production facilities in Jacarei and Alagoinhas. The new facility allows us to support both existing and new customer requirements.”

In June, Ardagh invested in a metal can production facility in Morocco. The company will hope that the latest investment will allow it to capitalise on Brazil’s beverage can market, less than a month after major rival Ball disclosed plans to close a beverage can plant in Cuiabá, western Brazil, as part of cost-cutting measures.

It enjoyed a strong second quarter, reporting last week that revenue had risen 6% to reach $2.35 billion, despite a reduction in its glass packaging business in North America.

Ardagh employs more than 23,000 people and operates over 100 facilities in 22 countries, with sales amounting to around $8.6 billion a year.