Coca‑Cola HBC launches second canning line in Northern Ireland to expand production
Coca‑Cola HBC has announced its second largest investment in Knockmore Hill, Northern Ireland since the opening of the plant. The announcement represents a key milestone in Coca‑Cola HBC’s growth and local investment in Northern Ireland, where it has proudly operated for more than 80 years.
The new canning line is the second of its kind to be installed at the plant and will support increased demand for can production, with the capacity to produce 4.8 million cans per week. It enables the plant to expand production capabilities and increase the number of products and pack sizes available, also reducing the company’s reliance on external sourcing from other Coca‑Cola HBC plants.
According to Marcel Martin, Coca‑Cola HBC Group Supply Chain Director
Local production for new “Sleek Cans”, “The new line will enable the transition to new taller “Sleek Cans”, launching this month – a first for the soft drink industry in Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
“It’s ten years since the official opening of Knockmore Hill and the launch of this second canning line is the most significant upgrade of the plant since the initial £93 million investment”
Northern Ireland’s First Minister and deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, joined Coca‑Cola HBC to celebrate the investment in the Knockmore Hill plant.
In his words: “Coca‑Cola HBC is an important contributor to our economy and valued employer in the local community. As an Executive, we are determined to collectively deliver prosperity for all our people and we want to work in partnership with business and industry to deliver this.”
The investment also supports Coca‑Cola’s journey towards a World Without Waste, by enabling the introduction of more sustainable secondary packaging for multipack cans. Innovative paperboard and cardboard packaging solutions for multi-pack cans will be introduced this year, eliminating 620 tonnes of shrink plastic from circulation annually from the island of Ireland market.
“It is a shining example of the kind of innovative and forward thinking that not only delivers increased production capabilities and but also contributes positively to our shared sustainability agenda,” said Arlene Foster, First Minister of Northern Ireland.
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