Ball Announces Plans to Build Beverage Can Plant in India

Ball Corporation announced today that its European subsidiary, Ball Packaging Europe, plans to build a beverage can manufacturing plant in India. The facility, which is expected to be located near Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra, will be positioned strategically to supply the two-piece beverage can needs for the majority of existing and currently planned beverage can filling lines in India. Application procedures with the proper governmental agencies are in the process of being completed, and the first commercial cans are expected to be produced by mid-2009.

“India is one of the largest potential beverage can markets in the world and we have long had an interest in doing business there,” said R. David Hoover, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

John A. Hayes, president, Ball Packaging Europe, said, “Many of our existing and potential customers are making significant investments in India, and we believe that now is the right time for us to invest there as well. Ball and its licensees have been exporting cans to India for several years to help develop the market and to serve customers as various beverage filling facilities have become operational.” Hayes said the Ball plant will begin operation with one manufacturing line able to produce approximately 600 million cans annually.