FTC approves Ball's acquisition of Rexam in the US

By Jenny Eagle

- Last updated on GMT

Ball Magic Straw products.
Ball Magic Straw products.

Related tags Alcoholic beverage Soft drink Federal trade commission

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved Ball Corporation’s proposed acquisition of Rexam, granting final regulatory clearance.

It has also formally approved Ardagh Group's proposed acquisition of certain Rexam assets in the US. 

Approval in Brazil & Europe

BeverageDaily reported the European Commission approved Ball Corporation’s acquisition​ of Rexam subject to the divestment of 12 plants in Europe, in January.

It said at the time, Ball must divest eight of its existing European metal beverage can manufacturing plants and two end plants, along with two of Rexam's metal beverage can manufacturing plants.

The beverage can maker must also divest what it called ‘European innovation and support functions’ in Bonn, Germany, Chester, UK and Zurich, Switzerland.

Ball Corporation said it was to acquire Rexam for $6.6bn (£4.3bn) in February 2015​ .

The firm announced conditional regulatory approval in Brazil late last year​ , as part of this clearance, the company agreed to divest its plants in Alagoinhas and Jacareí.

The combined company will operate Ball's beverage can and end manufacturing plant in Três Rios and end plant in Simões Filho, as well as Rexam's 12 existing metal beverage manufacturing plants in South America.

Rexam and Ball supply beverage cans and aluminium bottles, to soft drinks, beer and energy drinks manufacturers.

16 metal beverage packaging manufacturing plants

Beverage cans are manufactured out of two separate metal parts, a can body and a lid (the can end), and are used for liquids such as carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, fruit juice and energy drinks.

The US FTC investigation showed the transaction would have reduced competition in the already concentrated markets for beverage cans and risked increasing prices for customers.

It said upon closing the proposed offer for Rexam, Ball will operate its 16 existing metal beverage packaging manufacturing plants in the US, Canada and Mexico; its Rocky Mountain Metal Container joint venture in Golden, Colorado; and Rexam's beverage can manufacturing plants in Phoenix, Arizona; Chatsworth, California; St Paul, Minnesota; Longview, Texas; Kent, Washington; and Queretaro, Mexico; end manufacturing plant in Birmingham, Alabama; and joint ventures in Amatitlan, Guatemala and Cristobal, Panama.

The North and Central America regional office and innovation center will operate from Ball's existing Westminster, Colorado, locations.

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