Crown Holdings, Inc. a leading supplier of metal packaging products worldwide announced today that its business unit, CROWN Bevcan Europe & Middle East, will install a second beverage can production line in its recently opened facility in Kechnec, Slovakia.

The new line is expected to be operational early in 2011 and have an initial annual production capacity of approximately 850 million two-piece aluminum beverage cans in multiple sizes including 25cl and 33cl. The additional capacity will more than double the Kechnec plant's annual production capability to more than 1.6 billion 25cl, 33cl and 50cl cans.

"We are extremely pleased with strong customer demand throughout the central and eastern European region. The plant is well located to supply customers in Slovakia and neighboring Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Ukraine," said Chris Homfray, President Crown Europe. "The aluminum beverage can is a perfect container for the central and eastern European markets, as it is easy to carry, chills quickly, and is 100% recyclable and sustainable. Equally important, we expect the additional line to increase both productivity and operating efficiencies at the plant, which was anticipated when the facility was first planned."

SOURCE: Crown Holdings, Inc.

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