Czech Republic – Packaging manufacturing conglomerate Ball Corporation has announced plans for a new €170 million (US$ 205.70 million) aluminium can plant in the Czech Republic, as it looks to boost its output in the EMEA region.
The company says that it intends to begin construction of the new facility in the spring of this year and to launch operations in October 2022.
The plant, which will be located near Pilsen, in the west of the Czech Republic, is expected to employ up to 200 people and aims to meet rising demand for aluminium beverage cans.
“This new facility is the next step in our commitment to the Czech Republic,” said Carey Causey, president, Ball beverage packaging EMEA.
“In the Pilsen region we know we can find a skilled workforce close to our key customers, who will continue to benefit from our cutting-edge production processes, our commitment to the environment and a high-quality and sustainable beverage package.”
With two production lines, the new factory is planned to occupy a site of more than 100,000 square metres in the Pilsen Digital Park, enabling further expansion when required.
Gerhard Mayer, VP, operations, Ball beverage packaging EMEA, said: “We plan to install sophisticated automated equipment at the facility, leveraging the latest modern technologies to minimise environmental impacts, and strengthened by our recent commitment to 100% renewable energy to cover our operations in Europe.”
Ball recently unveiled plans to boost its beverage packaging capabilities in the US with a new aluminium end manufacturing facility.
Aluminium as a packaging material has seen a spike in demand during the Covid-19 period as beverage manufacturers required more of the product to package their beverages for at home consumption.
At the peak of the pandemic in june last year, a shortage of cans was experienced throughout Europe and North America forcing beverage manufacturers from Molson Coors to Coca Cola to stop production of slow moving products in favour of their flagship brands.
A decision by Coca-Cola to phase out some of its products such as Tab may have been in the pipeline for some time but the global shortage might have played a huge role in the discontinuation of these brands.
Ball Corporations recent investments are in response to this spike in demand for Aluminum cans which is in vogue because of its lighter than glass and more readily recyclable as opposed to plastic.
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