Philippines: Kirin Brewery Co. will transfer a technology for the production of large PET bottles for beer to Philippine brewer San Miguel Corp, Asia Pulse posted on March 19. The technology coats the inside of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles with a thin layer of diamond-like carbon, which serves as a barrier to the escape of carbon dioxide and keeps the beer fresher longer. San Miguel will use the technology to manufacture PET bottles in sizes of 500ml to 1 liter for beer. It will introduce the process first at its brewery in Cebu and then gradually to other sites.

Kirin acquired a capital stake in San Miguel in 2002. Transferring the technology is part of Kirin's strategy to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. It is strengthening its relationship with San Miguel with an eye toward increasing its holdings in the company.

23 March, 2004