Irish financier Paul Coulson has turned Ardagh Group into one of the largest glass and metal packaging groups in the world through a series of debt-fuelled acquisitions over the past 25 years. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
The debt figure expanded to 9.6 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation from 8.7 times over months, driven by a decline in earnings. “All options are being considered at this stage” to lower the debt burden, the new chairman told analysts on a call on Thursday. He said the company is still assessing what would be “sustainable” capital structure., while Ebitda fell to $254 million from $339, driven by declines in its glass bottle making business as drinks companies cut back orders to run down packaging supplies.