The first D&I beverage can plant in Azerbaijan is to be built by Hungarian energy drinks producer Hell Energy.

Representing an investment of US$211 million, the plant, and an associated drinks canning facility, will be constructed in the Alat Free Economic Zone, as a joint initiative with Azerbaijan Investment Company, says a release from the country’s Ministry of Economy.

Capacity at the plant will be 415 million cans a year when the first line starts up in 2025, with an eventual capacity of 700m, and 300 jobs being created.

With Azerbaijan located between Russia and Iran on the Caspian Sea, Hell Energy will be able to further expand its exports to the currently more than 50 countries.

A signing agreement ceremony was attended by Barnabás Csereklye, managing director of Hell Energy, and Ulvi Mansurov, executive director of Azerbaijan Investment Company.

Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said that the project will “enhance collaboration between the business communities of both countries, boost the growth of Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector, promote local production, and generate employment opportunities”.

Also noted were “the wide opportunities available for local and foreign investors, including Hungarian investors”, within the Alat Free Economic Zone. The Minister expressed confidence in the successful implementation of new joint projects.

Péter Szijjártó, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, expressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in various sectors.

Founded in 2006, Hell Energy became one of only a handful of independent beverage can manufacturers when it built its own plant, Quality Pack, in 2017 at Szikszó in Hungary where it initially had capacity to make 1.2 billion cans a year, used for its own energy drinks and canned coffee.

In 2021, Hell announced plans for significant expansion at Szikszó, worth around $26 million, and financed largely by a sale of bonds.

As part of a sustainability push, Hell recently started using branded aluminium cans with 75% recycled content.