Rexam, a global beverage can maker, has opened its first can manufacturing facility in Finland.
Located at Mäntsälä in southern Finland, the facility represents an investment of about £68m over three years, as part of the company's current capital investment plans.
The first of two planned production lines has become operational. Once the second line is completed by 2014, the plant will have a capacity to produce approximately 1.35 billion of aluminium cans in 330ml and 500ml sizes.
Rexam chief executive Graham Chipchase said that the new plant will allow them to serve customers better in the region and enhance the overall efficiency of their network of beverage can plants across Europe.
"We have seen a growing demand for beverage cans in Finland and the Baltic States, in particular the can's share of the pack mix for beer in Finland, which has grown from 10% to 60% over the past five years. The investment supports our strategy for growth in a steadily expanding European market," Chipchase said.
