Burton Latimer set to be home to UK’s largest aluminium can packaging plant

Construction of a new aluminium can packaging plant - said to be the largest in the UK - has been officially launched at a ground breaking ceremony.

When built, the Ball Corporation plant at Burton Latimer's Segro Park 'Kettering Gateway' will be producing more than one billion cans annually and employ up to 200 people.

Set for completion in January 2023 the site will occupy 56,000 sq m - about the size of eight standard football pitches - with an investment of 'hundreds of millions' of pounds.

Jason Bridger, plant manager at the site, said: "We shall start recruiting for roles in April, May and June. We are not offering zero-hours, they will be full-time jobs. The big one for me is attracting people to a life in manufacturing. We are hoping that most of the people we recruit are from the local area.

"These are real jobs for this area, not just picking and packing. We are going to be training them - we have a real track record.

"I'm really looking forward to working with my team."

Local and government leaders, including Ketteing MP, Philip Hollobone today (March 4) formally launched construction works at Ball Corporation’s new can-making factory.

Their innovative technologies at the Burton Latimer plant will mean that 20 per cent less energy and 70 per cent less water will be used at the factory than in the traditional can-making processes.

MP Philip Hollobone said: “I’m delighted to see this project go ahead. With its rich heritage, the production skills in Kettering are outstanding and it’s great to see a leading international company like Ball join the ranks of our existing manufacturers.

Cllr David Brackenbury, North Northamptonshire Council’s executive member for growth and regeneration, said: “One of our key priorities is helping to create the conditions to boost the economy in North Northamptonshire and I’m delighted to welcome Ball Corporation to our area as it brings a significant amount of foreign direct investment as well as a facility that is focussed on being as sustainable as possible.

"This development also brings with it significant employment opportunities to the local area in the sustainable manufacturing sector, which is a welcome addition to the North Northants economy. I look forward to seeing the production lines rolling.”

Ball is investing in the new cutting-edge facility to meet the needs of accelerating demand for aluminium drinks cans the UK and around the world.

The growth in demand for aluminium cans comes as consumers seek alternatives to single-use plastic, with a recent poll showing almost 80 per cent of people are taking steps to reduce single-use plastic and two-thirds want to do more.

Aluminium cans are currently the world’s most widely recycled beverage packaging, with a UK recycling rate of 82 per cent and a European average of 76 per cent.

The can-maker is working with key public services including Job Centre Plus to 'develop talent' from the Northamptonshire area.

Carey Causey, Ball beverage packaging's Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEA) president, said: “As environmental awareness increases, consumers are insisting on more sustainable drinks packaging.

"This new facility, in one of the UK’s best-known manufacturing locations, will help us to support our customers’ growth, creating fully recyclable cans which can play a role in a truly circular economy and support the local community.”

The facility will be Ball’s third can-making site in the UK, joining established plants in Milton Keynes and Wakefield and taking the new total in the EMEA region to 26.

US-owned Ball Corporation supplies aluminium packaging for beverage, personal care and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government.

Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 24,300 people worldwide and reported 2021 net sales of $13.8bn (£10.4bn).