Ardagh Group has acquired US-based Leone Industries, boosting the size of its glass division by 10 per cent.

Leone Industries, which was founded in 1966, makes glass containers for the US food and beverage markets, producing more than 500 million containers a year.

Ardagh Group chief executive Niall Wall said the acquisition would help the firm expand its US activities.

"It is an important step in developing our international glass franchise and will add scale and value to our business," he said.

Ardagh Group has 91 manufacturing plants in 25 countries around the world. It employs about 15,000 people, and counts well-known brands such as Heineken, Coca Cola, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and L'Oreal among its customers.