Enhancing sustainable glass and metal packaging – Ardagh Group, Brazil

Ardagh​​ Group is a global supplier of sustainable and recyclable metal and glass packaging for brand owners around the world. Ardagh operates 65 metal and glass production facilities in 16 countries, employing 20,000 people and has sales of approximately $10bn. The project is part of the industrial complex that Ardagh Group will build in Juiz de Fora in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Ardagh’s strong focus on sustainability will underpin both new investments.

Following the stricter sustainability criteria, the factories are designed with modern equipment, state-of-the-art technology and high energy efficiency, which will provide lower consumption of electricity, fuel and water in the process. In addition, to minimize the environmental impact, equipment will be installed to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere and renewable energy will be used in the production

 Jorge Bannitz, CEO of Ardagh Metal Packaging

AFRY provides basic and detailed engineering services as well as supply management of the new multi-line beverage can manufacturing factory, basic engineering services for the glass factory, and environmental impact studies and support for the environmental licensing of the entire complex.

The new aluminium beverage factory can have two production lines, with the capacity to produce 3 billion aluminium cans per year. Work started in the third quarter this year and should be completed by the end of 2023. The glass packaging factory is expected to commence in the first half of 2024.

The co-operation between Ardagh Group and AFRY started already in the site location study phase and this project is another step in building a trusted relationship between these companies.

 Nilson Niero, Director of Consulting, Energy, Infrastructure and Special Projects at AFRY Process Industries, Latin America.