Rafael Aun Ming, Founder and Chairman of Açaí Motion Group, is a visionary entrepreneur scaling an authentic Brazilian functional beverage brand across 60+ countries. A strong advocate of sustainability, ethical sourcing and the circular economy, he pioneered the use of ASI-certified aluminium cans in Brazil, aligning business growth with environmental responsibility.

In an interview for “End-user Revolution: ALuminium's Impact on Modern Living” e-Magazine, Ming shared how Açaí Motion is redefining the energy drink category through clean-label formulations, advanced aluminium packaging, circular economy practices, decentralised production and global market expansion driven by wellness-focused consumers.

AL Circle: You’ve differentiated the brand with “no synthetic caffeine, no taurine” and clean-label açaí + guaraná blends. What role does packaging play in your strategy to maintain the right balance between taste, functionality, and regulatory compliance across markets?

Rafael Aun Ming: Packaging is not just a container for us; it is a critical pillar of our brand promise. When you offer a premium, clean-label product derived from nature’s finest ingredients, its integrity is paramount. Our packaging strategy, centred on the aluminium can, is fundamental to delivering on this promise for several reasons:

• Preservation of quality and functionality: The core of Açaí Motion is its natural composition. Aluminium cans provide an absolute barrier to light and oxygen, which are the primary enemies of natural ingredients. This hermetic seal ensures that the delicate flavour profile, the vibrant colour, and the functional properties of our açaí and guaraná extracts are perfectly preserved from our production facility to the consumer›s hand, without the need for artificial preservatives.

• Communication of brand ethos: The can is our first handshake with the consumer. Its sleek, modern feel and the vibrant purple, iconic to açaí, instantly communicate a message of premium quality and natural energy. It serves as a canvas that tells our story of health, vitality, and Brazilian heritage, differentiating us from the aggressive, hypermasculine branding common in the traditional energy drink sector.

• Navigating global compliance: As a brand present in over 30 countries, regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Aluminium packaging is a globally trusted and standardised format. It allows us to clearly and consistently display nutritional information, ingredient lists, and certifications (like our ESG, GDPR, and Safety seals) in accordance with the diverse regulations of markets like the USA (FDA), Europe (EFSA), and Japan. This ensures a smooth path to market and builds consumer trust worldwide.

In essence, the aluminium can is the vessel that guarantees the consumer experiences Açaí Motion exactly as we intended: pure, fresh and effective. 

AL Circle: What new technologies or packaging solutions, including aluminium cans or sustainable alternatives, are helping Acai Motion maintain quality, freshness, and shelf life across export markets?

Rafael Aun Ming: To deliver an almost preservative, natural beverage to a global audience, we rely on state-of-the-art technology within the aluminium canning process. This is crucial for maintaining our product›s integrity across long and complex supply chains.

First, aseptic filling technology is central to our operation. This process sterilises the product and the can separately in a completely sterile environment before filling and sealing. This eliminates contaminants without requiring high-heat pasteurisation that could degrade the nutritional value and taste of our natural extracts. It is the key to achieving a long, stable shelf life with almost no chemical preservatives.

Second, we utilise cans with advanced, BPA-free internal liners. These modern coatings are inert, ensuring there is absolutely no interaction between the beverage and the aluminium. This is critical for our «clean label» promise, as it guarantees the pure, untainted taste of Açaí Motion.

Finally, we employ nitrogen dosing right before sealing the can. A precise drop of liquid nitrogen is added, which turns into gas, pressurising the can from the inside. This process displaces any residual oxygen—protecting against oxidation—and adds rigidity to the can, which is vital for withstanding the rigours of international shipping.

While we are always monitoring innovations in sustainable materials, aluminium currently offers an unparalleled combination of infinite recyclability, superior product protection, and global scalability. These technologies allow us to confidently export a taste of the Amazon to the world, ensuring it arrives as fresh and potent as the day it was made.

To read the complete interview, click here.