US packaging company Ball is to acquire the aerosol can producer Aerocan for £185 million.

US metal packaging company Ball has agreed to acquire the European aerosol can producer Aerocan from Barclays Private Equity for €221 million (£185 million).

John Hayes, president and COO of Ball Corporation, comments: ‘Acquiring Aerocan, like the purchase of Neuman Aluminum in the United States earlier this year, is aligned with our strategy of expanding our product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities while leveraging our operational expertise in our global metal packaging businesses.’

Aerocan produces aluminum aerosol cans and bottles for customers in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and foods and beverages. The company has three manufacturing plants across Europe in the UK, France and the Czech Republic and employs 480 staff. Aerocan also owns 51 per cent of an aluminium plant in France, which supplies its manufacturing facilities.

Ball Corporation is a supplier of packaging products for the food and household products industries.  The company and its subsidiaries employ 14,000 staff worldwide and reported 2009 sales of over $7.3 billion (£4.6 billion).