Glass and metal packaging supplier Ardagh Group has selected AFRY, an engineering services provider, to offer engineering and consulting services for new new Ardagh Metal Packaging factory and new Ardagh Glass Packaging factory in Brazil.

The project is part of the proposed industrial complex that Ardagh Group has planned to build in Juiz de Fora in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Under this contract, AFRY will deliver basic and detailed engineering services as well as supply management for the new multi-line beverage can manufacturing factory.

It will also provide basic engineering services for Ardagh’s glass factory, as well as environmental impact studies and support for the environmental licensing of the complete complex.

AFRY Process Industries, Latin America consulting, energy, infrastructure, and special projects director Nilson Niero said: “The co-operation between Ardagh Group and AFRY started already in the site location study phase and this project is another step in building a trusted relationship between these companies.”

Ardagh’s new aluminium beverage factory is designed to have two production lines, with annual production capacity of 3 billion aluminium cans.

Work on the facility is slated to commence in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 and is expected to complete by the end of 2023.

The new glass packaging factory is expected to commence in the first half of 2024.

Ardagh Metal Packaging CEO Jorge Bannitz said: “Following the stricter sustainability criteria, the factories are designed with modern equipment, state-of-the-art technology and high energy efficiency, which will provide lower consumption of electricity, fuel and water in the process.

“In addition, to minimize the environmental impact, equipment will be installed to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere and renewable energy will be used in the production.”

Ardagh​​ Group operates a network of 65 metal and glass production facilities in 16 countries, with 20,000 employees.