NEW YORK — Novelis Inc. is partnering with customers as it seeks to increase market share in used beverage can (UBC) procurement, adding that it is "very happy" with its progress since exiting Evermore Recycling LLC.

Novelis has "fully established" its UBC procurement division, which it started after withdrawing from the Evermore joint venture with Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Inc., president and chief executive officer Philip Martens said Tuesday during a third-quarter earnings call.

The division’s first month of operations in September was its "strongest month ever," he said, adding that the Atlanta-based company is starting to partner with customers like Coca-Cola Ltd. to expand its market share.

An increase in global recycling rates will support its push into UBC scrap. "In every market, there are opportunities to increase the amount of UBCs that are available for recyclability," Martens said.