Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, took part in the official launch of a new aluminum cap production line at Arnest Packaging Solutions in the Moscow region. Joining him at the event were Ekaterina Zinovieva, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Region Government, Alexey Sagal, President of Arnest Group, and Alexander Isaev, General Director of the Naro-Fominsk plant.
The Naro-Fominsk facility is the largest producer of aluminum packaging for beverages in Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). It houses both the country's largest aluminum can production plant and the only aluminum cap production plant. The launch of the new line, which replaces older equipment, is part of an investment project supported by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Federal Reserve. The total investment for the project exceeds 1.4 billion rubles (approximately $15.4 million).
With this new production line, the plant is expected to produce more than 7 billion aluminum caps annually, meeting the growing demand from Russian beverage manufacturers. Alikhanov emphasized that this modernization is crucial for expanding production capabilities and developing high-aluminum processing within Russia.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the aluminum cap production facility in Naro-Fominsk. The newly upgraded line will manufacture CDL-format caps, the most popular type in the Russian market. These caps will feature a solid key, allowing beverage producers to easily apply digital labeling. The Samara Metallurgical Plant supplies the aluminum tape used in this production.
Arnest Packaging Solutions is currently the only manufacturer of aluminum can lids in Russia, and the Naro-Fominsk facility serves as a key supplier across the country. The new production line was funded with a 1 billion ruble ($11 million) concessional loan from the Russian Industrial Development Fund. As a result of the expansion, the plant's workforce has grown to 170 employees.
Alexey Sagal, President of Arnest Group, noted that over the past two years, the company has invested more than 15 billion rubles ($165 million) to expand its production capacity. A new plant was constructed in Ulyanovsk, and plans are underway to install two additional lines there. Sagal emphasized that the company’s goal is to meet the increasing demand for aluminum beverage cans in Russia and ensure that 100% of the cans are marked "Made in Russia."