Crown to build 2.2B can per year facility in Northern India with United Breweries partnership

INDIA – Crown Holdings has announced plans to establish a two-line beverage can manufacturing facility in Northern India expected to commence operations in the second half of 2027, producing approximately 2.2 billion cans annually at full capacity, supported by a partnership with United Breweries Limited, part of Heineken N.V.

The facility will serve accelerating demand in India for aluminum beverage cans across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic segments, driven by shifting consumer preferences, sustainability imperatives, and the ongoing premiumization of beverage packaging in the region. 

Aluminum beverage cans remain the most recycled and sustainable beverage packaging format globally. Crown continues to expect full-year 2026 capital expenditures of approximately US$550 million.

Why India, Why Now

India’s beverage can market is growing rapidly as consumers shift from glass bottles and plastic pouches to aluminum cans, which offer portability, faster chilling, and complete recyclability. 

Unlike glass, cans are lightweight, reducing transport costs and emissions. Unlike PET, aluminum commands a higher recycling rate, over 70 percent globally and approaching 80 percent in mature markets. 

United Breweries, whose portfolio includes Kingfisher and Heineken, has seen strong demand growth for canned beer as Indian consumers adopt at-home consumption and premium formats.

Strategic Partnership with United Breweries

Vivek Gupta, Managing Director of United Breweries Limited, explained that demand for cans in India continues to grow strongly, driven by evolving consumer preferences and increasing adoption of premium and convenient formats. 

Strengthening supply will be key to unlocking the full opportunity. 

The partnership with Crown, a global leader in beverage can manufacturing, brings global expertise and scale, and is a significant step in supporting the company’s portfolio across brands such as Kingfisher and Heineken as they scale with this demand.

Crown’s Global Expansion

Mark Ketcheson, President of Crown’s Europe, Middle East and Africa Division, stated that this investment represents an important step in Crown’s expansion into India, a market characterized by strong structural growth, evolving consumer trends, and increasing demand for sustainable packaging. 

Supported by long-term customer partnerships, including with United Breweries Limited, this facility strengthens Crown’s ability to serve the market with reliability, quality, and scale, while advancing the company’s disciplined expansion across select high-growth regions.

When a Can Plant Becomes a Market Signal

A 2.2 billion can plant is not a toehold, it is a statement. Crown is not testing the Indian market; it is committing to it. 

For United Breweries, the investment secures domestic can supply for its fastest-growing formats. For Indian consumers, it means more beer in the most recyclable package on the shelf.

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