Ambev
Ambev SA Of Brazil Promises To Eliminate Plastic Packaging Within Five Years
Brazilian beverages company Ambev SA (Sao Paulo) has committed to eliminating all plastic packaging by 2025, a move that could generate as much as $239 million in business, according to one exec. The company, Latin America’s largest brewer, will work with suppliers, recycling cooperatives, startups, and universities to shift all beverage packaging to either returnable or 100 percent recyclable materials. The new target, is part of a broad strategy by parent company Anheuser Busch InBev to step up recycling and phase out plastic containers as consumers seek greener alternatives. In October, Ambev announced its first water in aluminum cans, AMA, likely to be distributed in February. Ambev invested $4.1 billion between 2014 and 2018 to adopt eco-friendly practices, including projects to have all operations run by renewable energy sources by 2025.[Image Credit: © AmBev]
Asahi
Australian Competition Regulator Throws Monkey Wrench Into A-B Inbev’s Sale Of CUB
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) warned in a preliminary review that Anheuser-Busch InBev’s$11 billion asset sale to Japan’s Asahi could hurt competition in Australia’s cider sector and may also do the same for beer. The planned sale of Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) would lower the world’s largest brewer’s debt after buying SABMiller in 2016. With that goal in mind the company has been working toward selling assets, including its Asian business in Hong Kong. The Australian competition regulator also noted that Asahi might also act as a competitive constraint on the two largest beer brewers in Australia – CUB and Lion – and has “the potential to be an even bigger threat in future.” A final ACCC decision is expected in March.[Image Credit: © Anheuser-Busch InBev]
Brands
Carlsberg Launches Alcohol-Free Pilsner In The U.K.
Danish brewer Carlsberg is launching a new alcohol-free pilsner beer in the U.K. known as Carlsberg Nordic, a replacement for the Carlsberg 0.0 brand that is distributed across more than 170 Tesco stores in the country. A wider rollout is planned for later in the year. A Carlsberg marketing exec said consumers are opting for alcohol-free drinks, but are looking for a wide array of choices. “The alcohol-free category has seen a huge growth in the last few years as consumers seek to moderate their consumption without compromising on the taste of their beer,” Liam Newton said. Carlsberg Nordic is produced using a combination of hop varieties along with pilsner and caramel malt, ensuring consistency in taste. A social and digital campaign will support the launch.[Image Credit: © Carlsberg Breweries A/S]
Britvic
rPET Supplier Esterform Packaging Inks Deal With Britvic
British soft drinks maker Britvic has entered into a long-term agreement with a U.K. manufacturer of PET bottles for the supply of recycled plastic (rPET), as part of its sustainability program. Britvic will invest $6.5 million to support the construction of Esterform Packaging’s new rPET manufacturing facility in North Yorkshire, making the company Britvic’s preferred rPET supplier in Great Britain and Ireland. Britvic’s sustainable packaging strategy aims to create an effective circular economy by reducing use of virgin PET and increasing use of rPET. Esterform’s new manufacturing facility will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy sources and is expected to be operating by Q4 2020.[Image Credit: © Britvic PLC.]
Carlsberg
Carlsberg Canada, Waterloo Brewing Sign Co-Pack Contract
Carlsberg’s Canadian business has signed a three-year co-pack contract agreement making Waterloo Brewing the exclusive producer of the Somersby Cider brand in Canada. Waterloo Brewing CEO George Croft said the co-pack strategy, which has seen a CAGR of 29 percent since 2017, has been a key driver of business growth. The company expects a CAGR of 45 percent by the end of the current fiscal year. Under the partnership, Waterloo Brewing expects more than $20 million in incremental revenue for the company. Waterloo Brewing’s Somersby Cider products will be distributed in the market next year.[Image Credit: © Waterloo Brewing Ltd]
Companies
New Chinese Craft Brewery Is Carlsberg’s First Outside Of Europe
Danish brewer Carlsberg said it has officially put into operation its new craft and specialty brewing facility in Tianchang, China, as it seeks to expand premium and specialty product lines. The new brewery is the company's first local plant for draught beer to be established outside of Europe. Carlsberg Beer Anhui Co Ltd, a wholly owned unit of Carlsberg, has invested more than $14 million in the new brewing facility, with a production capacity of 10 million liters a year, will be a central hub for craft and specialty product lines such as K1664, Greenberg, and Brooklyn. The brewery will serve the China market as well as the rest of the Asia Pacific region. [Image Credit: © Carlsberg Breweries A/S]
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