Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland to expand Lisburn production facility with €31 million investment
Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has announced a €31 million investment into its Knockmore Hill production facility in Lisburn. The investment will see the creation of a new high-speed recycled plastic bottling line. Due to be operational by May 2026, the new line will produce 500 ml bottles at a rate of 65,000 per hour and over 36,000 2 litre bottles per hour. All bottles, excluding label and cap, produced on site will be made from 100% recycled plastic, following the transition to the use of only recycled material in 2024.
This is the largest single investment since the production facility opened in 2008, representing the next stage of development of the Knockmore Hill site.
The announcement of the new recycled plastic bottling line highlights the Coca-Cola system’s continued investment in Ireland and Northern Ireland. A recent study conducted by KPMG for The Coca-Cola Company and its strategic bottling partner on the Island of Ireland revealed the Irish economy benefited by over €3.66 billion from its presence in the region in 2022.
Since 2020, over €77.6 million has been invested in the facility in Knockmore Hill. In 2024, a further €3.5 million was invested in a new warehouse to support its newest canning line for Monster Energy which opened in October 2023.
As the strategic bottling partner to the Coca-Cola Company for the island of Ireland, Coca-Cola HBC produces the full portfolio of Coca-Cola soft drinks that are sold across the island of Ireland as well as the local Deep RiverRock range of waters and flavoured waters.
With a heritage on the island of Ireland dating back to 1939, Coca-Cola HBC employs over 960 people across the island with 550 colleagues based at the Knockmore Hill site in Lisburn.
Simon Fitzpatrick, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, commented: “Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland is a growth focused business, firmly rooted in our local communities. This new investment is a perfect example of how we are continuing to look to the future as we expand and increase our commitment to the island of Ireland.
“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.
“The Coca-Cola system on the island of Ireland is a key value creator, and the study conducted by KPMG is evidence of that. We are a major employer, we drive industry wide growth, while also giving back to the communities we serve.
“By investing in local economies, supporting small businesses, and prioritising environmental stewardship, we are not only enhancing our business operations but also contributing to the overall well-being of society.
“We believe that our success is intrinsically linked to the prosperity of the communities around us, and we will continue to strive for a future where both our business and our communities thrive together.”
