A strong performance in the final quarter of 2025 helped to improve year-end results at the world’s largest canmaker Ball Corporation.
Full-year sales for 2025 reached USD13.16 billion, up by 11.6% on its sales in 2024. Net profit was USD915m, from a comparable USD430m last year when the bottom line was boosted by USD3.5bn from the sales of its aerospace business.
Fourth quarter net profit was USD200m, on sales of USD3.35bn.
Shipments of aluminium packaging by volume were up 4.1% globally for the year, 4.8% in North and Central America, 5.5% in the EMEA, and 4.2% in South America.
The company also completed its acquisition of the Benepack beverage can operations in Europe from ORG in December.
“We closed the year with a strong fourth quarter where across our businesses we delivered robust volume growth and operating earnings, capping off a record year for Ball,” said new chief executive Ron Lewis.
“Our success reflects disciplined execution and the strength of the Ball Business System, serving our customers, empowering our people and culture, and driving operational excellence every shift, every day. These pillars enabled us to meet our 2025 expectations, achieve record earnings per share, and return approximately USD1.54 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.”
By region, yearly sales in North America were up 11.9% at USD6.28bn with segment profit up 3.3% at USD772m.
The higher sales reflected “higher volume and favourable price/mix primarily driven by the contractual pass through of higher aluminium costs for the year”. Full year segment volume increased by 4.8%.
In the Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) region, full-year sales were up by 14.7% at USD3.98bn with segment profit up by 19.7% at USD495bn. Segment volume in EMEA increased by 5.5% in Q4.
The acquisition of Benepack’s plants in Belgium and Hungary was completed in January 2026 and Ball now has an 80% stake in the company. Ball said the EUR184m (USD217m) acquisition was “an attractive purchase price that reflects the strategic geographic fit and high-quality footprint of the Benepack business”.
In South America, full-year sales were up 11.3% at USD2.16bn with segment profit more than doubled at UDSD327m. Higher volume and favourable price/mix supported the full year and final quarter results, as well as full-year segment volume increase of 4.2%.
The non-reportable elements included results of global personal and home care business and beverage can manufacturing plants in India and Myanmar. In addition, Ball deconsolidated its aluminium cups business in March 2025. The company also sold 41% of its 51% stake, retaining a 10% ownership interest, in Ball United Arab Can Manufacturing Company.
Lewis said: “Our strategy is clear and built for the long term: stay close to our customers, empower and motivate our people and drive operational excellence and profitable growth through the Ball Business System. These pillars create fuel for growth and position us to deliver consistent results in a dynamic environment. As we look to 2026 and beyond, we remain confident in the growth of aluminum packaging and, viewed through our EVA mindset, we are confident in our ability to achieve our long-term algorithm of 10-plus percent annual EPS growth while continuing to return significant value to shareholders.”
