Ardagh increases can end and tab production to meet growing US demand

08 Jan 2019 --- Ardagh has increased the production of its beverage can end and tabs by 10 percent at its Valparaiso plant in Indiana, US. The move addresses the growing demand for attractive and highly-differentiated can packaging in North America.

“The capabilities that innovative ends and tabs provide to a brand are numerous,” Claude Marbach, CEO, Ardagh Metal – North America, tells PackagingInsights. “When the top of the can package is characterized by different colors, it stands out on retail shelves, attracting consumer attention. In a market where price is often equal, a brand differentiator such as color, graphics, functionality, etc. can make a strong difference in purchase decisions.

“The 10 percent increase in production capacity is directly attributable to increased customer demand associated with beverage cans in North America, and, specifically here, the ends and tabs that ‘top’ the beverage cans,” he says.

“An excellent example of the growth in use of innovative ends and tabs is across the energy drink market. This beverage category continues to show strength, with established and newly-launched brands utilizing the entire space of the beverage can package to position their brand in multi-color attraction, taking full advantage of the beverage can’s shiny, metal surface area,” Marbach adds.

The Valparaiso plant, built in 1987, utilizes more than 135,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and produces the end or “top” of the can as well as the tab, which consumers pull to open the can. Increasingly, leading beverage companies are choosing to utilize colorful graphics for ends and tabs, complementing the full surface space of the can body used to showcase their brand.

The plant is ISO–9001:2015 third-party certified, demonstrating that it is a high-quality and environmentally-focused manufacturing facility. The new production levels will be available in the third quarter of 2019.

“The investment in the plant’s people and capabilities is a testament to the focus on quality and customer satisfaction by the Ardagh Valparaiso team,” continues Marbach. “We’re very proud to increase Valparaiso’s production capabilities, further positioning the plant as a world-class source of innovative, eye-catching tabs and ends.”

Ardagh notes beverage cans to be widely recognized as a strong sustainability choice. Beverage cans support brand environmental objectives with a recycle rate and recycled content percentage higher than any other beverage package. Additionally, the company highlights that beverage cans are filled, shipped and displayed at retail more efficiently than other beverage packages, as there is no wasted space due to the package’s stacking capabilities.

By Joshua Poole