Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) is expanding its two-piece beverage can production capacity in Spain with the installation of a new air pollution control system at its facility near Madrid.

The turnkey system, supplied by environmental technology specialist Dürr CTS, combines Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) concentration with regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO). The investment is valued in the single-digit million euro range.

The project is designed to integrate emissions control for both an existing production line and a new production line at the Madrid site. According to Dürr CTS, the expansion has resulted in higher exhaust air volumes and solvent concentrations, necessitating a two-stage treatment concept to maintain stable operations.

Two-Stage Process Technical Details

The system utilises a two-stage approach to handle varying air streams from the manufacturing process:

• Initial Filtration & Concentration: Cold exhaust air streams originating from the inside coating process—characterised by large air volumes with low solvent concentrations—are first routed through filtration and a VOC concentrator.
• Thermal Oxidation: The concentrated air stream is then directed into an RTO system, where the pollutants are thermally destroyed.

The system has been designed for autothermal operation, meaning it can sustain the oxidation process using the energy from the solvent emissions themselves under normal operating conditions, minimizing external fuel consumption.

Sustainability Targets

The equipment upgrade is intended to support AMP’s broader environmental targets, specifically its stated corporate objective to reduce its global VOC emission intensity by 10% by 2030.

Dr. Ralf Klöpfer, Co-CEO of Dürr CTS GmbH, noted that the project represents a repeat collaboration between the two companies as beverage can manufacturers face stricter environmental compliance alongside demands for increased production efficiency.