The new canning line is expected to produce 4.8 million beverage cans per week. Credit: Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company.

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (Coca Cola HBC) has commissioned a canning line at Lisburn facility in Northern Ireland to increase its production capacity.

For its canning line, Coca Cola HBC invested £9.3m.

Coca‑Cola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland general manager Miles Karamacher said: “Northern Ireland is a great place to do business. This investment marks our continued commitment to the region, where we have operated as a proud local employer for more than 80 years.

“This new canning line will serve to future-proof our growth needs for decades to come while supporting our sustainability ambitions.

“Our launch today also marks our evolution to the new stylish ‘Sleek Can’. This, in turn, furthers our journey towards a World Without Waste by enabling the transition to cardboard solutions for our multipack cans.”

With the capacity to produce 4.8 million cans per week, the canning line is the second of its kind installed at the facility.

The move will enable the plant to expand production capabilities and increase the number of products and pack sizes available.

The canning line will also enable the company to bring the production many of the Monster Energy products in-house. It will reduce the company’s reliance on other facilities across Europe.

Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “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.

“I congratulate Coca‑Cola HBC on this exciting development and warmly welcome their on-going investment in our local economy.”