Crown to double can production in Spain

Spain and Portugal have experienced significant growth in beverage can demand over the past five years, making it the third largest market for cans in Europe, according to Beverage Can Makers Europe. The region is the number one market for soft drink cans in Europe, due largely to its positive demographics, strong tourism and hot climate, Crown stated. Crown will spend $39m (€28m) on a new production line at its 36,000 square meter beverage can facility in Seville, Spain. The new line will produce two-piece, steel 33cl cans and will double the facility's current output to 1.7 billion cans a year. The new production line supports a growing consumer preference for metal beverage cans, the company stated. Crown beverage can manufacturing business has two production plants in Spain, one in Agoncillo in the north, and one in Seville in the south. The new line will be installed at the Seville beverage plant. Work is scheduled to begin in 2008. "As our beverage customers in this region continue to grow, it is important for us to grow with them, and expanding production at our Seville plant will ensure we continue to deliver the high level of quality and service that our customers expect,"​ the company stated. Currently, Crown's subsidiary in Europe operates 13 production sites in nine countries. The business unit supplies two-piece beverage cans and ends to multinational, regional and local customers.