The new plant will support Ambev to reach its circular packaging goal of making every product from recycled content or in returnable packaging by 2025
Ambev’s new plant can produce bottles from recycled or broken glass. (Credit: Anheuser-Busch InBev)
Brazilian brewer Ambev has announced an investment of BRL870m (about $154m) in a new sustainable glass plant in Paraná, Brazil to expand its manufacturing capabilities.
The new plant can produce bottles from recycled or broken glass, collected in collaboration with local firms and organisations specialising in reverse logistics.
The investment will support the Brazilian company to reach the circular packaging goal of making every product from recycled content or in returnable packaging by 2025.
Ambev’s new facility will utilise 100% renewable power or sustainably sourced electricity, have the capacity to operate on biofuels, and employ advanced technologies for high water and energy efficiency.
Scheduled to commence operations in 2025, the plant will create bottles for brands like Stella Artois, Beck’s, and Spaten, as well as supply Ambev breweries in various states, including Paraná.
According to the company, the new facility in Paraná is projected to increase state revenue and employment.
Ambev sustainability and procurement vice president Rodrigo Figueiredo said: “This new glass plant is another important step in our sustainability journey.
“It will make a positive impact on several aspects of our brewing operations ecosystem. In addition to working toward our Circular Packaging Goal, the plant will play an important role in helping us meet other sustainability goals, including having 100% purchased electricity coming from renewable sources.
“We are investing deeply in the recovery to create a future with more cheers.”
Ambev opened its first glass facility in Rio de Janeiro in 2008. It now uses the largest proportion of recycled material in Brazil and is the country’s first plant to make a 100% recycled glass bottle on an industrial scale.
In addition, Ambev owns and runs the country’s first and biggest carbon-neutral brewery and malting plant.
The announcement of the investment was made during a ceremony attended by the governor of Paraná, Ratinho Jnior, government authorities, and Ambev executives.