Ball Completes Acquisition of Beverage Can Plant in China

Ball Corporation completed today its acquisition of Guangdong Jianlibao Group Co. Ltd.'s 65 percent interest in a joint venture metal beverage can and end plant in Sanshui, China, after obtaining necessary approvals and clearances from the Chinese government. Ball owned 35 percent of the joint venture plant since 1992.

Ball acquired the plant and related assets for approximately $90 million in cash. The company also entered into a long-term supply agreement with Jianlibao and its affiliate, Foshan Sanshui Jianlibao Trading Co., Ltd. Ball expects to report an after tax gain of approximately $25 million in the second quarter of 2010 on its previous ownership interest in the joint venture, subject to the appraisal of the business.

Ball Corporation is a supplier of high-quality metal and plastic packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,000 people worldwide and reported 2009 sales of more than $7.3 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit www.ball.com.

SOURCE Ball Corporation