Exhibit 32.1

                 CERTIFICATION BY THE CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Silgan Holdings Inc. (the "Company")
on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Quarterly Report"), I, R. Philip
Silver, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

     (1) The Quarterly  Report fully complies with the  requirements  of Section
     13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2) The information  contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents,  in
     all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
     the Company.


/s/ R. Philip Silver
--------------------
R. Philip Silver
Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer

August 14, 2003


A signed  original of this  written  statement  required by Section 906 has been
provided to Silgan  Holdings  Inc. and will be retained by Silgan  Holdings Inc.
and  furnished  to the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or its staff upon
request.