PHILADELPHIA, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CROWN Bevcan Europe & Middle East, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK) (Crown) ( http://www.crowncork.com ), announces the addition of a new $39 million production line to its 36,000 square meter beverage can facility in Seville, Spain. The new line will produce two-piece, steel 33cl cans and will double the facility's current output to 1.7 billion cans a year.

Crown has had a strong presence in the Iberian region for many years. The company's beverage business has two production facilities in Spain, one in Agoncillo in the north, and one in Seville in the south. Installation of the new line at the Seville beverage plant is scheduled to begin in 2008.

"The Iberian Peninsula is a region of great importance to Crown," says Terry Cartwright, Senior Vice President of CROWN Bevcan Europe & Middle East. "As our beverage customers in this region continue to grow, it is important for us to grow with them, and expanding production at our Seville plant will ensure we continue to deliver the high level of quality and service that our customers expect.

According to Beverage Can Makers Europe, Spain and Portugal have experienced significant growth in beverage can demand over the past five years, making it the third largest market for cans in Europe. The region is the number one market for soft drink cans in Europe, due largely to its positive demographics, strong tourism and hot climate.

"Beverage cans are the preferred packaging choice in the region, as they are easy to carry, chill quickly and are 100% recyclable," adds Cartwright.

Currently, CROWN Bevcan Europe and Middle East operates 13 production sites in 9 countries. The business unit supplies 2-piece beverage cans and ends to multinational, regional and local customers.

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, visit http://www.crowncork.com .

For more information, contact:

In Europe: Caroline Archer-Reed, Marketing Director, CROWN Bevcan Europe & Middle East; Tel: +33 1 49 18 40 43; Email: caroline.archer-reed@eur.crowncork.com .

In the United States: Neill Mitchell, Vice President & Sales Executive, CROWN Beverage Packaging USA, Inc.; Tel: (215) 698-5248; Email: nmitchell@crowncork.com .

For editorial inquiries: Michael F. Dunleavy, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations; Tel: (215) 698-5051; Email: mdunleavy@crowncork.com .

For investors: Timothy J. Donahue, Senior Vice President - Finance, (215) 698-5088.

Source: Crown Holdings, Inc.