EXHIBIT 32.1


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


In connection  with the Annual Report of Silgan Holdings Inc. (the "Company") on
Form  10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  2003 as  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Annual 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 Annual 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 Annual 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

March 15, 2004


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.