Alcan Boosting UBC Collections in France

Alcan Specialty Sheet has signed a multi-year agreement with Canibal (France), a subsidiary of CFF Recycling, to support deployment of a used beverage can collection network in France.

"Alcan Specialty Sheet is building a strong continental position in UBC recovery and processing together with its customers, to further underscore aluminum as the material of choice for beverage cans," said Christophe Villemin, president Alcan Specialty Sheet. "This agreement will further promote the collection and recycling of UBCs, and foster the development of UBC collecting systems in France," he added.

The partnership aims to significantly expand the current network of UBC collecting equipment in targeted locations in France. Alcan Specialty Sheet has committed to recycle all the Canibal-collected UBCs at the company's Neuf-Brisach plant.

Alcan recently announced that it will invest $7 million in its specialty sheet rolling and recycling plant at Neuf-Brisach, France, to recycle used aluminum beverage cans. The new capacity is scheduled to come on stream by the beginning of 2008.

"France's current overall UBC recycling rate is approximately 18 percent compared to a 50 percent rate for all of Europe. This partnership is an important vehicle to improving the consumer mindset towards UBC collecting in France," said Jean-Baptiste Lucas, Sales and Marketing Director, Alcan Canstock and Closures.

Canibal was created in 2001, and acquired last year by CFF Recycling.