The state-of-the-art canning line is capable of producing more than 2 million cans every 24 hours
Asahi Beverages has launched a new $60 million canning line at Australia’s largest brewery in Yatala, Queensland, to address the increasing demand for cans over stubby bottles. This new line will produce up to 400 million cans of Australia’s finest beers each year, including Great Northern, Victoria Bitter, and Carlton Dry.
The state-of-the-art canning line is capable of producing more than 2 million cans every 24 hours. During its construction, it created over 200 jobs, along with an additional 27 full-time positions at the brewery. The growing preference among beer lovers for cans instead of bottles also brings sustainability benefits: less energy is required to manufacture aluminium cans, and their lighter weight allows for more efficient transportation compared to glass bottles.
Melanie Hignett, Head of Manufacturing at the Yatala Brewery, stated, “The increasing demand from Aussie beer lovers for cans over stubbies is generating more exciting brewery jobs for Queenslanders, along with valuable sustainability benefits.” She added, “This new canning line is a significant investment in southeast Queensland manufacturing. It’s also a big win for beer lovers, ensuring we can meet the rising demand for beer cans in Queensland and beyond for many years to come.”
Five years ago, only 46 per cent of the packaged beer brewed by Asahi in Australia was sold in cans, while the rest came in stubbies. Recently, cans have overtaken bottles, now accounting for 52 per cent of sales, with this figure expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Hignett noted, “We believe the trend is driven by the versatility, affordability, and increasing popularity of craft beer in cans. This new line reaffirms Asahi’s long-term commitment to Australian jobs and manufacturing.”
