News

Ball Corporation anticipates "strong demand" for beverage cans in Europe and Asia in the third quarter following increased sales in the first half of 2007.

The US-based metal and plastic packaging supplier said sales of drinks cans in Europe and Asia rose more than 25% on the same period last year to £451m ($924.3m). However, pre-tax profits fell by almost 20% to £67m.

To meet increased demand, the firm has started full production with replacement capacity installed after a fire last year at one of its factories in Germany.

Ball also plans to increase capacity at its Hermsdorf plant in Germany and Radomsko in Poland by 500 million cans in 2008.

Ball chief executive David Hoover said the firm did not expect performance in the second half of 2007 to match the "record" first six months.

But he said the overall outlook was positive in metal packaging for food and household products, and in its plastic packaging division.