Plans for a new £150 million drinks canning plant at Global Point Business Park in Antrim have been approved for development.

Representing a landmark investment in advanced manufacturing in Northern Ireland, the plant will serve its growing customer base in Ireland, the UK and Europe, while continuing to supply key customers Diageo and Coca Cola.

Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) will build the innovative 42,585 square meter facility at Invest NI's Newtownabbey site, creating around 200 jobs, following approval from Antrim and Newtownabbey Council's planning committee.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross, said: "Planning approval paves the way to the borough cementing its reputation as an economic stronghold, bringing with it both investment and employment.

"This £150m announcement represents the confidence investors have in the area.

"The economic importance of this development and the benefits it will bring not just to Antrim and Newtownabbey, but to the whole of Northern Ireland, cannot be overstated.

-- Advertisement --

"The Ardagh facility is part of a high-quality portfolio of manufacturing projects planned for invest NI's Global Point Business Park in Newtownabbey.

"With other major projects in the pipeline, such as the Belfast Region City Deal Queen's University Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) and the Sensata Technology Centre, this highly desirable site is fast becoming a hub of manufacturing excellence."

The decision follows the recent approval of a £4m steel manufacturing facility for Steel Mac Distribution (SMD) Ltd. Alderman Ross said the Council is "well on track" to hit its target of £1bn investment and to create 2,000 jobs by 2025.

Granting planning permission in just over 18 weeks reinforces the borough's position as the top planning Council and a prime investment location for major projects.

Planning permission was sought following a period of pre-application community consultation and engagement with the Council and Invest NI.

AMP, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is 75% owned by Ardagh Group, the international packaging group which traces its origins back to glass manufacturing in Dublin in the 1930's.

Metal cans contribute immensely to the circular economy through leading collection recycling rates and significant use of recycled content, helping to meet the sustainability requirements of AMP customers and consumers.

The new manufacturing facility is expected to create approximately 160 positions on site, as well as another 30 indirect jobs through associated suppliers and businesses at the highly sustainable site.

AMP first revealed its intention to build the factory in November 2021.