Ardagh Metal Packaging expands French production facility amid boom in beverage can demand

10 Jun 2022 --- Ardagh Metal Packaging is investing in the expansion of its production facility at La Ciotat, France. The new expenditure, supported by Bpifrance and Sud Attractivité, is a response to increased demand for beverage cans from a diverse mix of new and existing customers for long-term partnerships in the regions of Southwestern Europe and the Middle East Africa (MEA). 

The move will significantly strengthen AMP’s position in those geographies, says the company. The increased production capacity at La Ciotat reflects the strength of AMP’s confidence in “French technical and industrial know-how,” it says. 

“Expanded distribution of quality French-produced packaging, in both traditional and new market segments in Europe and MEA, will also serve to affirm and promote the unrivaled expertise at La Ciotat.”

The AMP La Ciotat facility.At the same time, AMP is taking care to prioritize its environmental responsibilities: reducing imports and associated CO2 emissions and installing state-of-the-art equipment to decrease electricity and gas consumption by manufacturing beverage cans more sustainably. 

“Being infinitely recyclable without loss of quality, aluminum cans are already a sustainable packaging product,” says the company. 

Limiting consumption 
The facility also continuously works to limit the consumption of prime aluminum by recycling at all stages of the manufacturing process – and through innovation, producing the lightest possible aluminum can minimize the use of materials.

Work to extend the facility is due to be completed in 2023, and production is expected to begin in the first half of 2023. This investment forms part of AMP’s expansion plan involving growth capital investments of well over US$2 billion.

AMP’s La Ciotat facility was built in 1991, and the investment will boost the local economy by creating approximately 80 new positions at the facility and employing numerous subcontractors during the expansion period and beyond. In turn, the new jobs will positively impact the local Economic and Social Committee’s social budgets, benefiting employees and the La Ciotat area.

Ardagh releases 
Last year, AMP revealed plans to build a state-of-the-art US$200 million beverage can plant in Northern Ireland, UK. The plant will be located near Belfast and service the growing needs of AMP’s beverage customers in Ireland, the UK and Europe. 

This year, AMP Europe is launching H!ghend, a “transformative” new addition to its customization range of beverage cans, offering customers brand-enhancing opportunities. The H!ghend innovation series adds extra value to the top of the can by making this area of the pack available for branding. 

By Louis Gore-Langton