Asahi Beverages expands canning capacity with US$60M facility upgrade in Australia
New canning line to boost output, create jobs, and support sustainability as canned beer gains popularity across Australia.
AUSTRALIA – Asahi Beverages has officially launched a US$60 million canning line extension at its Yatala brewery site in Queensland, Australia.
Already recognized as the largest brewery in the country, the expanded facility will increase Asahi’s canning capacity by up to 400 million beer cans annually, with the ability to produce more than two million cans daily.
The investment comes amid rising consumer demand for canned beer, which has recently overtaken bottled beer in terms of total packaged beer sales for Australia’s largest beer supplier.
Currently, 52 per cent of sales from Asahi Beverages’ beer portfolio are in cans, up from 46 per cent just five years ago.
According to Yatala Brewery’s Head of Manufacturing Melanie Hignett, the shift in consumer preference is largely attributed to the versatility, affordability, and strong presence of cans within the craft beer market.
She described the new canning line as a significant development for the Australian beer industry and manufacturing sector in southeast Queensland.
“This new canning line is a major investment in south-east Queensland manufacturing. It’s a big win for beer lovers too because it helps ensure we can meet growing demand for beer cans in Queensland and beyond for many years to come,” said Hignett.
The expanded facility will also contribute to job creation, with 27 full-time on-site roles added and over 200 jobs supported during the construction phase. The company maintains that it will continue producing bottled beer despite the growth in can popularity.
Sustainability is another key driver behind the expansion. Asahi has committed to purchasing 40,000 MWh of renewable energy annually for eight years beginning in 2023.
Aluminium cans offer environmental advantages, including lower energy requirements in production and lighter transportation weight, contributing to reduced emissions and costs.
The global demand for aluminium cans is expected to continue rising, with carbonated soft drinks and beer leading the market.
According to AL Circle, global aluminium beverage can consumption increased from 343 billion units in 2015 to 416 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach around 627 billion by 2030.
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