Alcan Packaging has sold its food flexible packaging plant in Arras, Northern France to Plastienvase Francia Sarl, a 100-per cent subsidiary of Plastienvase SA based in the Cordoba region of southern Spain. "We are confident that the Arras business will benefit from new opportunities and realise its full growth potential with Plastienvase, a well-established participant in the European food packaging industry," said Michael Cronin, president, Alcan Packaging Food Europe.

Plastienvase was founded in 1985 and operates two facilities in the Cordoba region, employing 247 people with sales of Euro 37 million in 2007. The Arras plant, which employs 182 people, will operate under the Plastienvase Francia name.

Alcan Packaging Food Europe, a business of Alcan Packaging, is the European leader in flexible packaging for the food and beverages market with registered sales of $ 2.3 billion in 2007. It operates 31 plants in 18 countries and employs 7,300 people.