Ball Corporation, the largest can manufacturer in the United States, has disclosed that its new aluminum beverage packaging plant in the US will be built in Pittston, Pennsylvania. The multi-line plant is scheduled to begin production in mid-2021 and will create approximately 230 manufacturing jobs.
"Our new Pittston plant is Ball's latest investment to to serve accelerating demand for our portfolio of infinitely recyclable aluminum containers used in the sparkling water, spiked seltzer, beer and carbonated beverage categories," Daniel W. Fisher, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Global Beverage Packaging, Ball Corporation was cited in a news release today.
New products, like hard seltzers which are predominantly sold in cans but also the increased demand for cans in multipacks during the COVID-19 lock-down have created a shortage for this type of packaging in the U.S. market. Producers of cans have already reacted and increased production in its existing domestic plants but have also started importing greater quantities of cans from Mexico or from oversea (inside.beer, 22.7.2020).
Customers, who are afraid of losing sales because of the shortage have now urged producers to create new production capacities and have agreed to sign long-term contracts for the supply of this type of packaging.
"Pittston will join our industry-leading network of more than 20 North American plants, including a new plant currently under construction in Glendale, Arizona, that is scheduled to start up early in the first quarter of 2021,” Fisher added. “These investments, supported by numerous long-term customer contracts, will enable us to serve customer and consumer needs for more sustainable beverage packaging while furthering our Drive for 10 vision for long-term success."
Ball plans to make an initial investment of more than USD 300 million in its Pittston facility over multiple years. The plant will supply customers with a portfolio of can sizes to serve the addressable market.
Pittston as a location for the new facility was chosen because of the existing infrastructure, proximity to main distribution routes, regional labor base, the cooperation of state and local officials during the site selection process and Pennsylvania's focus on sustainable growth.
According to the company, aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable and economically valuable and enable a truly circular economy in which materials can be and actually are used again and again. In fact, 75 percent of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
Ball does not only supply cans for the beverage industry but also packaging solutions for personal care and household products, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 18,300 people worldwide and 2019 net sales were USD 11.5 billion.
Just two days ago, Ball also announced that it has completed the acquisition of Tubex Industria E Comercio de Embalagens Ltda., an impact extruded aluminum aerosol packaging business that includes a manufacturing plant in Itupeva, which is near Sao Paolo, Brazil. The business, now part of Ball's aluminum aerosol packaging division, complements Ball's global aluminum aerosol and slug business in the Americas, Europe and India.