US – Leading us manufacturer of metal packaging for the food industry Crown Holdings Inc.  has announced that it will build 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 US$145, 355,000 square-foot facility 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.

Crown’s investments are timely. Aluminium cans being light weight, easy to handle and carry, and one of the most recyclable package types available in the industry, have made them popular among beverage manufactures.

The demand for Aluminium cans particularly spiked during the Covid-19 period, outstripping demand and creating a shortage so acute that some companies like Molson Coors were forced to drop some of their less popular brands to concentrate on fast moving ones.

In the forecast period of 2021-2026, the industry is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.0% to reach a value of US$ 1142.71 billion by 2026, according to expert market research.

Commenting on the crown’s latest investment , president and CEO of Crown Timothy Donahue said:  “This investment further demonstrates Crown’s commitment to support its customers in meeting the increased demand for aluminium beverage cans.”

The Virginia plant will mark the company’s third greenfield beverage can manufacturing investment in North America over the last five years.

Last year, the aluminium beverage manufacturer 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.

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