Budweiser Brewing Group, together with RUSAL, CANPACK, and ELVAL, launch a pilot to produce a can with the lowest ever carbon footprint for a beer can, produced in Europe.
The pilot will see the production of five million ultra-low carbon Budweiser 440ml cans using new inert anode aluminium technology, produced using renewable electricity. RUSAL claims that the cans will be sold across UK retailer as soon as Autumn 2021.
The low carbon can is the result of a partnership amongst sustainability-minded businesses who have worked together to pilot the initiative in Europe. The cans will be produced by CANPACK UK using 100% renewable electricity and made out of aluminium coils manufactured by ELVAL, the aluminium rolling division of ElvalHalcor(ATHEX-ELHA). The metal was produced by replacing the usual primary aluminum with the ALLOW INERTA - ultra- low carbon primary aluminium produced by RUSAL with the breakthrough emission-free inert anode technology. The cans will be filled at Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I breweries in Magor, South Wales and Samlesbury, Lancashire powered by 100% renewable electricity.
The low-carbon cans will continue to support decarbonisation through their endless recyclability and circular economic nature.
Alongside its ambitious global sustainability goals, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I aims to brew the UK’s most sustainable beers.
Steve Hodgson, Director of Sales and Marketing of RUSAL, commented;
“The work is a result of a partnership that stretches across the whole value chain for the first time- from the mining of bauxite used to produce aluminium, right through to the consumer enjoying a cold Budweiser. EN+’s Metals segment, RUSAL, Budweiser Brewing Group, Canpack, and Elval together are shaping the future of low-carbon aluminium and sustainable packaging.”
Steve Hodgson, Director of Sales and Marketing of RUSAL
Mauricio Coindreau, Sustainability Director at Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, said:
“Like our consumers, we care about climate change, and want to make it as easy as possible for people to choose environmentally-friendly options in their day-to-day lives, whether it’s enjoying a beer brewed with 100% renewable electricity and locally sourced ingredients, or now in a low-carbon can.”
Mauricio Coindreau, Sustainability Director at Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I
Ioannis Koufopanos, Sustainability Director at ELVAL, the aluminium rolling division of ElvalHalcor S.A., Greece, said:
“We are excited to participate in this fascinating project. Focused on sustainability, innovation and collaboration, we contribute to the value chain of this challenging pilot.”
Ioannis Koufopanos, Sustainability Director at ELVAL
John O'Maoileoin, Group Sustainability Director at CANPACK, said,
“Although aluminium cans are one of the most sustainable packaging materials around thanks to the fact they can be recycled forever without any loss of quality, it’s been amazing to push their green credentials forward still further through real collaboration and to create a Budweiser can with a minimal carbon footprint.”
John O'Maoileoin, Group Sustainability Director at CANPACK
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