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Crown has announced that it will inaugurate a new aluminium beverage can manufacturing facility in Henry County, Virginia.

Located in Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre, the plant will expand Crown’s North American supply network as it aims to address the growing market for standard and speciality beverage cans.

The company will invest $145 million in the 355,000 square-foot facility, which will supply cans to customers serving a variety of categories including sparkling water, energy drinks, carbonated soft drinks, teas, functional beverages, hard seltzers, beers and cocktails.

"This investment further demonstrates Crown's commitment to support its customers in meeting the increased demand for aluminium beverage cans," said Timothy Donahue, president and CEO of Crown.

The Virginia plant will also mark the company’s third greenfield beverage can manufacturing investment in North America over the last five years. Last year, Crown announced it was building a beverage can plant in Kentucky.

"The Henry County plant will give Crown a stronger position in the speciality can market, while allowing Crown to better serve the needs of customers and consumers for more sustainable packaging,” added Donahue.

The new plant is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2022 and will create 126 jobs.

Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, said: “We are thrilled to see a long-time Virginia employer and Fortune 500 company like Crown Holdings select Henry County for its new East Coast manufacturing operation.

“The addition of 126 high-quality jobs is a huge opportunity for the people of Southern Virginia, and the region’s tireless efforts to build a skilled workforce pipeline will benefit the company for decades to come."

Earlier this month, Crown announced plans to build its sixth beverage can plant in Brazil.