News Release
- No.14522(2024/1/11)
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Suntory to Use Green Aluminum(*1) for Limited Edition of The Premium Malt’s Sustainable Aluminum Can
― Green Aluminum(*1) cans emit 25% less carbon than conventional aluminum cans(*2) ―
― Developed in collaboration with 4 companies from different fields ―
Tokyo, JAPAN (January 11, 2024) – Suntory Spirits Ltd. (Suntory) will be using Green Aluminum*1 in its limited edition of The Premium Malt’s Sustainable Aluminum Can (350ml, 5.5% ABV) which will be available in stores nationwide in Japan from Tuesday, January 30th in a limited amount.
The Green Aluminum used in this product has been designed and produced in a joint effort among four other companies from different fields; Sumitomo Corporation, Sumisho Metalex Corporation, Kobe Steel, Ltd. and Daiwa Can Company. The Green aluminum was allocated using a mass balance*3 method, which reduces CO2 emissions by 25%*4 compared to conventional aluminum cans*2.
“We are very pleased that the five companies were able to work together to reduce GHG emissions in the aluminum can value chain,” said Masaaki Fujiwara, Chief Sustainability Officer of Suntory Holdings. “We will continue to work with all members of the value chain to promote various initiatives to reduce GHG emissions.”
As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, Suntory Group aims to inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. As stated in the "Suntory Environmental Vision 2050", the Suntory Group aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the whole value chain by 2050, and in the "Suntory Environmental Goals 2030" to halve its GHG emissions by 2030*5.
For packaging and containers, the Suntory Group considers its environmental impact throughout the entire product life cycle, from product design to transportation and recycling after consumption, and works to promote a circular economy. For PET bottles specifically, the company has established the “Suntory Group Plastic Policy” in 2019 to contribute to achieving a recycling-oriented and decarbonized society.
The Suntory Group will continue its efforts to reduce GHG emissions throughout the entire value chain by actively introducing environmentally friendly packaging materials and containers as well as installing more energy efficient technologies and renewable energy.
*1 Aluminum produced using renewable energy sources with reduced CO2 emissions
*2 350ml beverage aluminum cans published in the Japan Aluminum Association Beverage Aluminum Can Inventory Survey Report (July 2023)
*3 Under the mass balance approach, for a product manufactured by mixing a material that has a specific characteristic with those without that characteristic, the characteristic can be allocated to a part of the output of the product in proportion to the amount of the material with the characteristic used in the production process.
*4 Verified and validated from a third-party impartial and neutral standpoint by DNV Business Assurance Japan K.K.
*5 Total reduction versus 2019 baseline
Notes to editors:
●For more details on The Premium Malt’s Sustainable Aluminum Can, visit
https://www.suntory.co.jp/beer/thepremiummalts/sustainable/
(available only in Japanese)
●Reference: Sumitomo Corporation, Sumisho Metalex, Kobe Steel, Daiwa Can and Suntory Holdings to Produce Low-Emission Green Aluminum Cans for “The Premium Malt’s (Sustainable Aluminum)” Limited-Edition Beer
●Learn more about Suntory Group’s environmental activities here.
About Suntory Group
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, from premium spirits, beer, wine, ready-to-drink alcohol beverages, to brewed teas, bottled water, still and carbonated soft drinks, ready-to-drink coffee and energy drinks, along with health and wellness products. Suntory is home to award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu, as well as iconic American spirits Jim Beam and Maker's Mark. Suntory also fascinates the taste buds with The Premium Malt's beer, and owns the exceptional Japanese wine, Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection includes Sauza Tequila, non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Ribena, BOSS coffee, Iyemon green tea, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, V and BRAND’S, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.
Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of $20.2 billion in 2022. Its 40,885 employees worldwide draw upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.
As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, Suntory Group will always protect the ecosystems that deliver water. Because its ecosystem is the wellspring, not only of its business and the rich experiences the group creates for people's lives, but also of human life itself. Suntory Group will continue to be a company where everyone is empowered with the freedom and flexibility to innovate. Through all of its corporate pursuits, Suntory seeks to inspire the brilliance of life.
Learn more about Suntory Group, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility and sustainability at www.suntory.com, on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
