Greencroft partners with Ardagh to launch wine canning line in UK

Contract wine packer Greencroft Bottling has collaborated with Ardagh Group to launch a new wine canning line at its facility in County Durham, UK.

Greencroft has invested more than £2 million in the line, which is initially focused on the 200ml and 250ml slimline cans, but is also ready to handle Ardagh’s new 187ml wine can format.

Ardagh provided technical support for the line commissioning and set-up. The line features a KHS Innofill Can C filler.

Thanks to an investment in sustainable energy by its parent company, Lanchester Group, Greencroft’s bottling lines are powered by wind turbines.

Mark Satchwell, managing director of Greencroft Bottling, said: “The can is a format consumers are already familiar with, through soft drinks, beers and ciders, and right now canned wine consumption is growing at a rate of approximately 6% year on year in Western Europe, so we were pleased to collaborate with Ardagh to set up a dedicated wine canning line.”

He added: “The investment in our new canning line has been substantial, sourcing the best technology available and taking our time to do it right. We’re a family business looking to the future, so it’s imperative we do things once and do them well.”

Among the first customers to use the new facility is Greencroft Bottling’s sister company, Lanchester Wines. Its Nika Tiki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc Rosé will be first down the canning line, followed by its Hacienda de Calidad Argentinian Malbec.

Ardagh Group announced the creation of its slimline 187ml can specifically for wine and wine-based drinks earlier this year.

The can is billed as an attractive option for the increasing number of consumers who wish to enjoy a single drink with a meal or while on the go.

According to Euromonitor research, the global wine-in-can market is estimated to reach 366 million units by 2022.