Ball: Construction of can plant in Czech Republic begins

Ball Corporation has started construction of a new beverage can plant in Pilsen in the Czech Republic. The world's leading producer of aluminium cans is investing €170 million (CZK 4.5 billion) to help meet growing demand for recyclable, sustainable aluminium beverage cans in the future. Up to 200 new jobs will be created as part of the investment, which is also one of the largest in the Pilsen region in recent years. The plant is scheduled to go into operation at the beginning of 2023.

Ball has been producing beverage cans in Dýšina near Pilsen for more than 25 years. In view of the increased global demand for recyclable aluminium beverage cans, the company is now investing again in the region. The state-of-the-art production facility, which is expected to come on stream in early 2023, will create additional production capacity for Ball's customers.

The newly created area in the "Panattoni Pilsen Digital Park" covers more than 100,000 square metres and offers sufficient space for possible expansions in the future. As part of the celebrations to mark the start of construction, Carey Causey, President, Ball Beverage Packaging, EMEA, and Pavel Šindelář, Mayor of the City of Pilsen, jointly laid the foundation stone on 28 April. This was made from used aluminium cans and symbolises the idea of sustainability and the reusability of the raw material.

Among beverage packaging, the aluminium can is the global recycling champion: In Europe, an average of 76 per cent of all cans are recycled, and Germany leads the way with a recycling rate of 99 per cent. Aluminium can be recycled over and over again, and above all without any loss of quality or significant material. Moreover, it only takes 60 days for a used can to become a new can again.

"The demand for more sustainable packaging is growing tremendously. That's why it's important that Ball continues to invest to support our customers' growth," said Carey Causey, President, Ball Beverage Packaging, EMEA. "Ball has been manufacturing in the Czech Republic for over 25 years. So we're particularly pleased to be creating new sustainable manufacturing jobs for a region with such a storied industrial heritage and skilled workforce."

At a press event as part of the celebrations on Thursday 28 April, Radek Mádr, CEO of Ball Czech Republic, gave an insight into the progress of staff acquisition for the new plant: "Since March, we have been running training courses for new employees so that they are ready in time for the start of production in 2023. We offer secure jobs in a fast-growing sector. There is a lot of interest in this state-of-the-art plant, especially from people with craftsmanship and technical skills from the region. We look forward to welcoming and training even more skilled workers in the coming months."