December 22: The global economic downturn is thought to have already had an impact on growth in Europe’s beverage can business, which has slipped by more than half this year.
In 2006 and 2007 yearly growth exceeded 10 percent to reach more than 50 billion fillings, but this year the increase is expected to be 4.2 percent, according to Rob Miles at Beverage Can Makers Europe, which represents the interests of Ball, Crown and Rexam.
That suggests a rise of more than two billion cans to around 52.4 billion.
