Coca-Cola HBC is investing in a new recycled plastic bottling line at its Knockmore Hill facility in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.
The division for Northern Ireland and Ireland said in a statement that the £26m ($34.2m) marks its “largest single” investment since the plant opened in 2008.
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Coca-Cola HBC added the new line will manufacture 500ml bottles, producing 65,000 units per hour, and two-litre bottles at more than 36,000 per hour.
Operation of the line is expected to begin in May 2026.
All bottles manufactured at the site will use 100% recycled plastic, building on the announced shift to recycled materials in 2024.
Simon Fitzpatrick, the general manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “The new bottling line will make our manufacturing abilities even more agile, supporting our production facility in becoming the industry leader in supply chain excellence, and ensuring we continue to evolve to meet our customer needs.”
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By GlobalDataSince 2020, the Knockmore Hill location has received more than £68.3m in total investment, the company said, adding that £3.1m went into a warehouse in 2024 to support the Monster Energy canning line launched in October 2023.
At the time, Monster Energy chief commercial officer for EMEA, Desmond White, said: “This significant expansion of [the] Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland production facility, with a dedicated Monster Energy canning line, will unlock new opportunities for us in the Ireland and Northern Ireland markets, and also across other European markets.”
As the main bottling partner for the Coca-Cola Company across the island of Ireland, Coca-Cola HBC handles the complete range of Coca-Cola soft drinks available there, along with the Deep RiverRock selection of waters and flavoured variants.
The company has a workforce of over 960 across the island, including 550 staff at the Knockmore Hill operation.
In 2024, Coca-Cola HBC acquired BDS Vending, a Dublin-based vending company, to “enhance its route-to-market capabilities”.
The deal was completed through Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland.
Coca-Cola HBC had said the move would “unlock profitable opportunities across its well-rounded cold and hot beverages and snacks portfolio”.
