Labatt Breweries looking to eliminate plastics rings from beer packaging
Labatt Breweries of Canada is investing $9 million into its Turning Point Brewery, in British Columbia to fund the addition of new machinery to eliminate plastic rings and enable new formats for packaging cans.
"This investment in our facility in Delta, British Columbia is part of Labatt's on-going capital spending to enhance our Canadian facilities and processes," says Jeff Ryan, VP legal and corporate affairs, Labatt Breweries of Canada. "By investing in new machinery to eliminate plastic rings when packing cans, we are taking another step forward towards a more sustainable future."
In 2023, Labatt invested $32.6 million to eliminate single-use plastics from three additional breweries in Canada, improving their environmental performance. With this latest investment, Turning Point joins St. John's, Newfoundland and London, Ontario, which each saw investments of $10.5 million and $13.1 million respectively in 2023 to eliminate single-use plastics in packaging. The new packing machinery was installed in December 2023, with testing and production ramp-up beginning earlier this year.
"This investment into Delta, B.C. is a testament to Labatt's commitment to a more sustainable future, the facility and our community," adds Jill McKnight, executive director, Delta Chamber of Commerce. "We recognize the importance of protecting and conserving Delta's natural assets, and it is always wonderful to see our members taking actions and making commitments through investments."
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One of the first brands to leverage the new packaging system is Cutwater, which recently began production at Turning Point in November 2023, currently the only international production of the ready-to-drink canned cocktails from the San Diego, California-based brand.
"Expanding the capabilities of the Turning Point Brewery is an important aspect of our ability to meet consumer demand for premium ready-to-drink products," adds Ryan.
Cutwater is the newest edition to the ready-to-drink portfolio produced at the Turning Point facility, which also includes Mike's, NÜTRL, Palm Bay and Tempo Gin.
