Plans for 160 jobs at new £150m drinks can plant

A new drinks can factory on the outskirts of north Belfast will employ 160 people at a £150m facility, it has been revealed.

Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) has submitted a full planning application to build the facility at Global Point, Newtownabbey, close to key local customers including Diageo and Coca-Cola (Hellenic).

It is expected that the approximately 430,500 sq ft manufacturing facility will create around 160 direct jobs on site and a further 30 jobs indirectly through associated suppliers and businesses.

Plans have now been submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council following a community consultation, and engagement with the council and Invest NI.

AMP chief executive Oliver Graham said: “We are a high tech, circular economy business. Our products are helping beverage companies improve their own sustainability using our infinitely recyclable packaging.

“Our proposals will help strengthen our relationships with existing customers and consumers across the island of Ireland and Great Britain. We are pleased to have taken a further step forward to delivering this new plant in Northern Ireland as part of our industry leading multi-year growth strategy to supplement our existing production base throughout Europe.”

David Spratt, chief executive of AMP Europe, added: “Our investment will deliver almost 200 new jobs to Northern Ireland and will bring significant long-term skilled employment opportunities to the area.

“We are grateful for the constructive and positive pre-application consultation with local neighbours and elected representatives. AMP look forward to working closely and collaboratively with them in support of employment and education programmes later this year, once planning permission has been granted and construction can begin.”

Councillor Stephen Ross, deputy mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, said: “The support we are providing to investors together with the efficient performance of our planning service is the reason why this council is set to attract over £1 billion of investment to the Antrim and Newtownabbey economy in the next few two to three years. As a result of this, we are on track to achieve our target to create over 2000 new jobs by 2025.”