Growing demand: Ardagh increases US drink can capacity

To address the growing demand for drink cans, Ardagh Group will increase the production capacity at its Olive Branch facility in Mississippi.

The capacity expansion for drink cans includes two new high-speed manufacturing lines, which will begin production by the end of 2020. According to Claude Marbach, CEO of Ardagh Metal – Beverage North America, the new production capacity complements a growing Ardagh beverage can manufacturing network. “This is one of a number of significant capacity expansion investments we are initiating to meet growing demand as consumers and customers increasingly recognize the sustainability advantages of beverage cans,” he said. “Beverage cans deliver high recycled content rates, often driving the effectiveness of municipal recycling systems due to the inherent value of aluminium. And with ideal filling, distribution and retail display economics, beverage cans enable customers to further build their brand and bottom line.”

The Olive Branch plant, built in 1988, will also be adding more than 80 new jobs as part of the capacity expansion, increasing the number of employees at the plant to more than 200. The plant’s new production will initially focus on Ardagh Sleek line, package sizes recognized across growing beverage categories such as hard seltzers, beer, energy drinks and teas. The additional capacity strengthens a full range of product sizes available to customers from a network of eight beverage can and end manufacturing locations throughout the US.