Asahi Beverages unveils $60 Mn canning line at Yatala Brewery to meet the growing demand for cans over stubbies

Asahi Beverages, a member of Asahi Group Holdings, has launched a state-of-the-art canning system at Yatala brewery in Queensland to meet the rising consumer preference for aluminium cans over stubbies. The $60 million production line can produce over two million cans per day, including popular brands such as Great Northern, Victoria Bitter, and Carlton Dry.

With an annual capacity of 400 million cans, the new line marks a major expansion of the Yatala facility's capabilities. Located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Yatala is Australia's largest brewery. Sustainability remains a key focus for Asahi, which has committed to purchasing 40,000 MWh of renewable energy annually for eight years starting in 2023.

"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. Aussie beer lovers' increasing thirst for cans over stubbies is creating more great brewery jobs for Queenslanders and some useful sustainability benefits, too," said Melanie Hignett, Head of Manufacturing at Yatala.

The project generated over 200 jobs during its construction phase, along with 28 full-time positions at the site. Melanie Hignett, Head of Manufacturing at Yatala, emphasised that the new production line highlights Asahi's ongoing commitment to supporting Australian jobs and strengthening local manufacturing. Five years ago, only 46 per cent of the packaged beer Asahi brewed in Australia was sold in cans. Today, that figure has risen to 52 per cent, and it's expected to climb even higher in the coming years. However, despite the growing shift towards cans, the brewery will continue to produce millions of stubbies annually.

The growing consumer preference for cans over bottles is also contributing to sustainability gains. Aluminium cans require less energy to produce and, being lighter than glass bottles, allow for more efficient transport.  As per AL Circle's report, the aluminium cans market is primarily driven by the beverage industry, with carbonated soft drinks and beer comprising the bulk of demand. Global consumption of aluminium beverage cans rose from 343 billion units in 2015 to 416 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach approximately 627 billion units by 2030.

However, there's a notable rise in usage across other segments such as energy drinks, canned water, and ready-to-drink beverages. Aluminium cans are favoured for their lightweight, stackable design and excellent protective qualities, making them a strong alternative to other packaging materials.