Ardagh invests in food can line in Czech Republic
Ardagh Group has announced the installation of a new drawn, walled and ironed (DWI) two-piece food can line at its plant in Znojmo, in the Czech Republic, after investing €10m.
The latest investment, which will allow the company to increase sales of DWI cans to the pet food and human food markets in the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Hungary, will introduce the new technology and its added benefits to the growing region in Europe, the company said. According to the Luxembourg-based company, commercial production of the new can making equipment is expected to commence by the end of 2012.
Tim Clarke, Ardagh Group Metal Food Europe sales director, said the DWI can making process offers the potential for further down gauging of material, and will bring financial as well as environmental benefits.
“In these challenging economic times it is essential that we continue to invest in processes and technologies that deliver sustainable economic benefits to our customers,” Clarke added. 
The Znojmo plant is Ardagh’s fourth DWI plant in Europe. The company’s latest investment follows its earlier announcement, made in May 2012, where more than €4m was invested in three-piece can manufacturing equipment at its plant in Bila Tserkva, in Ukraine.
Ardagh was able to expand its sale of cans to the food and dairy industries in the Ukraine and Moldova with the Ukrainian investment.
Ardagh Group operates 100 facilities in metal, glass and technology across 25 countries, and produces 26.6 billion containers annually.
