Lion’s Stone & Wood brand, along with its supply chain partners Visy, Novelis, and Rio Tinto, today announced a breakthrough packaging initiative that uses low carbon primary aluminium and contains on average 83 per cent recycled aluminium in its beverage cans.*
The pilot initiative named Re-In-Can-Ation, brings together key players across the aluminium value chain to create a more sustainable beverage can that is estimated to deliver a 59 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to Stone & Wood’s existing cans.**
The 18-month trial will see 15 million of these cans enter the market and is estimated to be the equivalent of reducing carbon emission by 1,235 tonnes when compared to the equivalent quantity of Stone & Wood’s existing cans.**
Lion Group Sustainability Director, Justin Merrell, said “This partnership shows what’s possible when industry leaders unite behind a common goal. In this project we’re demonstrating the potential to reduce carbon emissions and conserve resources with the containers our consumers recycle. It’s proof that when the full value chain collaborates, we see a stronger circular economy and great benefit to the environment. Only two thirds of Australia’s aluminium cans are currently recycled so there is still work to do”.
Each supply chain partner plays a crucial role in the initiative to ensure end-to-end environmental sustainability throughout the manufacturing process. Novelis manufactures high-recycled content aluminium coils, Rio Tinto provides low-carbon primary aluminium from its Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania, and Visy manufactures the cans locally at its Yatala site in Queensland.
Visy Circular Economy & Sustainability General Manager, Kate Baker said: “We’re partnering with customers like Lion to develop more sustainable packaging solutions and this innovative beverage can sets a new benchmark for sustainability. By incorporating higher levels of recycled content, we’re diverting more waste from landfill and giving materials a second life. Even better, these cans are easily recycled, allowing you to enjoy your beer while contributing to a circular economy.”
Rio Tinto Vice President Aluminium Sales, Amy Abraham, said: “Low-carbon aluminium is a key solution for industries striving to decarbonise, and we are pleased to provide Australian aluminium from our Bell Bay smelter in Tasmania, which is largely powered by renewable energy, to help produce lower-carbon cans.”
“We are proud to play a part in building resilient, local supply chains that support Australia’s sustainable manufacturing future. This pilot shows that domestic production can play a crucial role in advancing sustainability goals, with the potential to transform sustainable production standards across the aluminium can value chain.”
Novelis Asia Can Sales & Marketing Director, Jason Pontre, said: “Achieving 83 per cent recycled content in beverage packaging is a significant technical milestone that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in aluminium manufacturing. We’re proud to be contributing to Australia’s circular economy journey, demonstrating how collaboration and innovation can help create a more sustainable packaging industry.”
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) recognises the importance of this initiative in addressing a significant recycling challenge in Australia, where only 64 per cent of aluminium beverage cans are currently recycled.
Stone & Wood’s specially marked Re-In-Can-Ation cans are now available on shelves across Australia.
* based on average recycled content (by mass) of an aluminium can using aluminium coils manufactured by Novelis during the period 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024.
** reduction based on comparison with the average carbon emissions intensity of Stone & Wood’s previous 2023 financial year 375mL cans. Calculation includes all carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from raw material extraction up to the manufacturing of the can (raw material extraction / smelting / recycling, transportation of materials, manufacturing of the cans). The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) used for this calculation follows the ISO 14040/14044 (ISO, 2006b) Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment Standard.
Find more information on the Re-In-Can-Ation project here
