The 50th Anniversary of the Aluminum Beer Can
Seamless, recyclable container dramatically changed beverage packaging
-- Packaging Digest, 1/22/2009 10:24:00 AM
MillerCoors today celebrates the 50th anniversary of the seamless and recyclable aluminum can. After several years in development, the first can was introduced for use at the Coors Golden brewery on Jan. 22, 1959. This invention revolutionized the beer and consumer packaged goods industry and spurred recycling efforts nationwide. MillerCoors continues that commitment to innovation and sustainable development today.
"We are proud to be a part of history and the recycling revolution that resulted from this innovative aluminum can invention. Today, as MillerCoors, innovation continues to drive our people and our business. And, true to our legacy, we will do it the right way by being a good corporate citizen and steward of our environment," Pete Coors, chairman of MillerCoors, said.
In 1957, William K. Coors (Bill), who at the time was president of Adolph Coors Company, began researching with his staff engineers, the feasibility of a recyclable aluminum container for beer. At the time, beer was packaged in tin containers that not only gave beer an aftertaste, but also resulted in an environmental issue due to waste. Aluminum allowed the company to deliver fresher tasting beer to consumers without needing pasteurization and was 100 percent recyclable.
After many prototypes, Bill Coors and his team finally succeeded in developing a seamless aluminum can, a version of which is still in use today throughout the industry. To further celebrate the achievement, ASM International - The Materials Society (ASM), today will confer Historical Landmark status on the site where the aluminum can was first invented and produced - the current CoorsTek location at 600 9th Street in Golden, Colo.
This significant milestone underscores MillerCoors commitment to sustainable development and the environment. In fact, zero waste is a goal for all MillerCoors breweries. Through recycling teams, the company is actively working to bring landfill contributions down and increase recycling of glass, aluminum, cardboard, plastics and segregation of metals. MillerCoors currently recycles approximately 98% of items used in brewing facilities that do not leave as finished product.
MillerCoors recently partnered with RecycleBank, an innovative national program that helps encourage recycling by awarding customers redeemable points for recycling and allowing them to redeem the points for gift certificates on MillerCoors branded gear. For more information about MillerCoors sustainable development efforts, visit www.millercoors.com.
Source: MillerCoors
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This isn't the way I remember it???
Scott W. - 2009-23-1 17:28:00 EST -
Technically this article is correct. It is speaking of the first aluminum beverage can which was an impact extrusion and it was introduced by Coors in 1959 well before Reynolds and others. Coors went on to develop a d&i aluminum can from sheet as did Reynolds with Reynolds being first commercially in White Bear Lake, Minnesota but was closely followed by Coors in Golden. To me the most fascinating part of the history is that while Reynolds and Coors pursued their own paths during the 60’s, they both ended up at the same place, from a technology point of view.
Chris O. - 2009-23-1 17:27:00 EST -
I think Packaging Digest has forgotten the Aluminum Company that supplied the material to them and David Reynolds. Mr. Jerry Hawkins. Jim Hymnes and Ed Maaeder all worked on the Reynolds cans in the early 60’s. Hawkins is still very much alive and living in Colorado – not far from Golden Co. Additionally the can didn’t work well until Ernie Frazee and Alcoa made the first easy open end about 1963 or so when refined this end was used on Reynolds cans supplied to Piels and Ballantine with cans 1968.
Ray S. - 2009-23-1 17:27:00 EST
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