Brazil: Ambev to build sustainable glass plant in Parana

Ambev is to invest BRZ870 million reais (US $154 million) in a new sustainable glass plant in Paraná, Brazil, the Glass International reported on April 25.

It will have the capacity to produce bottles from recycled or broken glass, collected in partnership with local companies and organisations which specialise in reverse logistics.

The glass plant will operate with 100% renewable electricity or renewable purchased electricity, have the capacity to run on biofuels, and use technology to ensure water and energy efficiency.

Expected to start operating in 2025, it will produce bottles for brands such as Stella Artois, Beck’s and Spaten, and will supply Ambev breweries across several states, including Paraná.     

“This new glass plant is another important step in our sustainability journey,” says Rodrigo Figueiredo, Vice President of Sustainability and Procurement at Ambev.

“It will make a positive impact on several aspects of our brewing operations ecosystem. In addition to working toward our Circular Packaging Goal, the plant will play an important role in helping us meet other sustainability goals, including having 100% purchased electricity coming from renewable sources."

Ambev's first glass plant opened in 2008 in Rio de Janeiro.

Today, it operates with the highest percentage of recycled material in Brazil and it is the country’s first facility with a 100% recycled glass bottle produced on an industrial scale.

Ambev also operates one of the first and largest carbon-neutral brewery and malting site in the country. 

Ambev said the facility will help ensure further progress toward its Circular Packaging Goal of having 100% of products in either returnable packaging or made from majority recycled content by 2025. 

25 April, 2022