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Ardagh Glass has recorded a 150% increase in pre-tax profit to EUR43.6m (£34.4m) for the first quarter of the financial year.

The Irish-owned firm's sales doubled to €314.9m, boosted by the acquisition of Rexam's glass operations last year, according to a report in the Irish Independent.

Its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose to €63.1m.

Ardagh Glass is one of the largest European glass manufacturers following the €660m acquisition in June 2007. It has 22 plants across the continent.

It has been heavily involved in projects to lightweight bottles and in January announced a three-year €450m investment plan.

Ardagh is also one of the firms to be tipped as a possible purchaser of Saint Gobain's glass packaging operation.