Ball will cease beverage container production at San Martino, Italy, plant. Credit: Marcos André.

Metal packaging firm Ball has announced plans to cease production at its beverage packaging plant in San Martino, Italy, by the end of December.

Prior to this, the company carried out negotiations with the trade union.

Ball will accommodate its customers, who are affected by the closure, from its other facilities in Europe.

Ball Beverage Packaging Europe president Colin Gillis said: “Given the market environment in Italy, we need to ensure that we remain cost-competitive for the long term.

“While closing a plant is always a difficult decision, our goal is ensuring the long-term success of the business for all of our stakeholders, including our 3,600 employees in Europe.”

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The packaging firm will also convert one production line at its beverage container plant in Nogara, Italy, to sleek cans. The conversion will take place nearly one year after the planned closure of San Martino plant.

“Our goal is ensuring the long-term success of the business for all of our stakeholders, including our 3,600 employees in Europe.”

The San Martino beverage plant, which opened in 1981, currently employs approximately 70 people. It will support all affected employees through various alternative measures.

In July, the metal packaging firm announced plans to end operations at its beverage packaging production facility in Cuiabá, Brazil.

Despite the closure of the plant, Ball will continue to serve customers through its other facilities in Brazil. Set up in 1998, the Cuiabá plant employs around 70 people.

The company offers sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers and has a global workforce of 18,300.

Ball’s net sales for last year stood at around $11bn.