- The Verallia Group has launched a strategic review of its European sites, with the aim of adapting its industrial footprint to changes in demand.
- With this in mind, several projects developed and led by local teams are being considered: the potential closure of a site in Germany (Essen); the shutdown of a furnace at the end of its life in France (Châteaubernard), and the shutdown of a furnace in the United Kingdom (Knottingley) in parallel with the restart of a more efficient furnace nearby (Leeds).
- These projects form part of a sustainability and environmental performance strategy, supported by a disciplined investment policy. Verallia will engage in close dialogue with employee representatives and unions.
Regulatory News:
Verallia (Paris:VRLA):
After several years of growth of around 2% per year in volume up to 2020, the European glass packaging sector went through successive phases of slowdown during Covid-19, followed by a post-pandemic rebound, before experiencing a sharp contraction in 2023 (-13% in volumes), marking a return to a structurally lower level, below that of 2019.
This decline in volumes is the result of weaker demand linked to reduced alcohol consumption in Europe (-4% since 2019), combined with increased pressure on certain export flows for our customers, particularly to the United States and Asia.
In this context, and considering a portfolio largely exposed to alcoholic beverages, a strategic review was carried out to adjust production capacity in Europe, in order to adapt Verallia's industrial footprint to new market dynamics and thereby sustainably strengthen its competitiveness.
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH TARGETED ADJUSTMENTS TO INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY
Germany
Demand in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands remains subdued, with no clear prospect of a significant recovery in the medium term.
In this context, the review of the industrial footprint highlighted that refocusing production on three sites, supported by targeted investments to modernise more energy-efficient furnaces, would offer the most suitable configuration in this new environment
Against this backdrop, the Essen site has undergone a specific review, which could involve transferring volumes to Bad Wurzach, Neuburg and Wirges. This project could potentially lead to the closure of the site and the termination of around 300 positions.
France
In France, the market is facing a structural decline in cognac sales, with no prospect of recovery in the medium term. Since 2023, Verallia has adapted to this new context through prolonged furnace shutdowns and partial activity measures.
The Group is now considering a more structural adjustment to its production capacity, involving the shutdown of a furnace at the end of its life on the Châteaubernard site.
This project would affect around 60 positions and would rely exclusively on voluntary departures, supported by an autonomous voluntarily departure plan, combined with a pre-retirement scheme and dedicated support measures.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the market is in decline, particularly in the spirits sector, which has historically been a key market for Verallia. In this context, an adjustment of the industrial footprint is being considered, involving the closure of an end-of-life furnace in Knottingley and the restart of a more efficient furnace in Leeds.
Options to redeploy employees between the two nearby sites are being explored.
As part of these projects, Verallia Group and its local teams intend to place social dialogue at the heart of their approach, working closely with employee representatives and unions, and to support all affected employees with the utmost care.
Disclaimer
Certain information included in this press release does not constitute historical data but rather forwardlooking statements. These forwardlooking statements are based on estimates, forecasts and assumptions, including assumptions regarding Verallia's present and future strategy and the economic environment in which Verallia operates. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Verallia's actual performance and results to differ significantly from those explicitly or implicitly expressed in these forwardlooking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those detailed and identified in Chapter 4, "Risk Factors," of the Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers ("AMF") and available on the Company's website (www.verallia.com) and on the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org). These forwardlooking statements and information do not constitute guarantees of future performance. This press release contains only summary information and does not purport to be exhaustive.looking statements. These forwardlooking statements are based on estimates, forecasts and assumptions, including assumptions regarding looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those detailed and identified in Chapter 4, "Risk Factors," of the Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des looking statements and information do not constitute guarantees of future performance. This press release contains only summary information and does not purport to be exhaustive.looking statements. These forwardlooking statements are based on estimates, forecasts and assumptions, including assumptions regarding looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those detailed and identified in Chapter 4, "Risk Factors," of the Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des looking statements and information do not constitute guarantees of future performance. This press release contains only summary information and does not purport to be exhaustive.-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, forecasts and assumptions, including assumptions regarding -looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those detailed and identified in Chapter 4, "Risk Factors," of the Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des -looking statements and information do not constitute guarantees of future performance. This press release contains only summary information and does not purport to be exhaustive.
This press release does not contain, and does not constitute, an offer of securities or a solicitation to invest in securities in France, the United States, or any other jurisdiction.
About Verallia
At Verallia, our purpose is to re-imagine glass for a sustainable future. We want to redefine how glass is produced, reused and recycled, to make it the world's most sustainable packaging material. We work together with our customers, suppliers and other partners across the value chain to develop new, beneficial and sustainable solutions for all.
With almost 11,000 employees and 35 glass production facilities in 12 countries, we are the European leader and world's third-largest producer of glass packaging for beverages and food products. We offer innovative, customised and environmentally friendly solutions to over 10,000 businesses worldwide. Verallia produced more than 16 billion glass bottles and jars and recorded revenue of €3.5 billion in 2024.
Verallia's CSR strategy has been recognized with the Platinum Ecovadis medal, placing the Group in the Top 1% of companies assessed by Ecovadis. In September 2025, SBTi officially validates Verallia's long-term Net Zero 2040 target according to its Net-Zero Standard. By 2040, Verallia commits to reducing its CO2 emissions from scopes 1 2 by 90% and offsetting the remaining 10% compared to 2019 base year. This target is aligned with the 1.5°C climate trajectory set by the Paris Agreement.
Verallia is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: VRLA ISIN: FR0013447729) and trades on the following indices: CAC SBT 1.5°, SBF 120, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid Small and CAC All-Tradable.
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Contacts:
Press
Aurélien Gamet verallia@brunswickgroup.com
Investor relations
David Placet david.placet@verallia.com
Raphaël Rolland raphael.rolland@verallia.com
