First-in-Canada can supplied by Ball made from Rio Tinto’s low-carbon aluminum reduces GHG emissions 30%.

Posted by Staff

June 30, 2022

2 Min Read
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Image courtesy of Corona Canada

Highly recycled aluminum cans are upping their sustainability game further with the introduction of Canada’s first low-carbon beverage can.

Manufactured by Ball and available through a pilot in Ontario, the specially marked cans were made using aluminum from Rio Tinto that leverages Elysis technology. The tech enables the production of metal without direct carbon dioxide emissions during the aluminum smelting process, and instead emits pure oxygen.

As part of this limited release, 1.2 million cans were produced with a quick-response (QR) code to inspire consumers to learn more about the cans’ low carbon footprint.

This pilot is also a step towards making a fully traceable beverage can for consumers. In the future, Rio Tinto will leverage insights from its START initiative that allows consumers to use QR codes to see exactly how their products were made from mine to market — including sustainability data.

Currently, around 70% of the aluminum used in cans produced in North America is made with recycled aluminum. Pairing this recycled metal with Rio Tinto’s low-carbon aluminum – made with renewable hydropower – and metal produced using the direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions-free Elysis smelting technology reduces carbon emissions by more than 30%.

"Driving meaningful change for the environment."

“As a brand, Corona believes we have a responsibility to be an ally to our environment, recognizing that change needs to start within our own production lines as a tangible way we can help protect paradise and reach our ambitious sustainability goals,” says Andrew Oosterhuis, marketing VP, Corona Canada. “By continuing to introduce market-leading technologies in the beverage space, we’re leading by example for other companies and their suppliers to innovate and drive meaningful change for our environment.”

Says Rio Tinto’s Tolga Egrilmezer, head of sales and marketing, “Leveraging insights from START, we look forward to putting more information into the hands of consumers, so they can see how we are partnering with leading brands like Corona to help deliver more sustainable supply chains and products. These specially-marked, low carbon beverage cans will showcase the responsibly produced aluminum Rio Tinto delivers, bringing together renewable hydropower and the innovation of zero carbon Elysis smelting technology.”

The launch builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2020 between Rio Tinto and Corona Canada’s parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), to work with supply chain partners to bring AB InBev products to market in cans made from aluminum that meets industry-leading sustainability standards.

The cans are available through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and select grocery stores in Ontario, while supplies last.

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