Crown Expands in India: A 2.2 Billion Can Powerhouse

Crown Holdings has announced plans to set up a state-of-the-art beverage can manufacturing facility in Northern India, marking a strategic expansion into one of the world’s fastest-growing beverage markets.

The proposed plant will feature two production lines and is expected to become operational in the second half of 2027, with an annual capacity of around 2.2 billion aluminium cans at full scale. The facility aims to meet rising demand for beverage cans across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic segments in India, supported by shifting consumer preferences, sustainability considerations, and increasing adoption of premium packaging.

The plant will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies, high operational efficiency, and strong sustainability practices, in line with Crown’s focus on environmentally responsible packaging. Aluminium cans are widely regarded as one of the most recyclable and sustainable packaging formats globally.

The investment is backed by long-term customer commitments, including a partnership with United Breweries, part of Heineken N.V., ensuring steady demand for the facility’s output. Crown’s total capital expenditure for 2026 is projected to be around USD 550 million.

Vivek Gupta noted that demand for cans in India is growing rapidly, driven by premiumisation and convenience trends. He added that strengthening supply through this partnership with Crown will support the company’s expanding portfolio, including brands such as Kingfisher and Heineken, as it scales to meet increasing demand.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.