Packaging group Ardagh has completed the acquisition of the European division of Exal Corporation, the world’s biggest aluminium can producer.

The Dublin-based company announced plans to purchase the Boxal group of companies from Exal for €85 million last month.

The acquisition marks Ardagh’s first foray into the European aluminium can market. Ardagh, which makes glass and metal containers, already operates an aluminium can business in Australia.

The Boxal acquisition is the latest in a number of acquisitions completed by the group over the past year or so.