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Anheuser-Busch uses the low-carbon aluminum from Rio Tinto from renewable hydropower, as well as the recycled content

Beer drinkers will soon be able to enjoy their favorites Anheuser-Busch Brew from cans that are not only infinitely recyclable, but are also made from responsibly produced, low-carbon aluminum.

Anheuser-Busch, America's leading brewer, has entered into a global partnership with the beverage industry Rio Tinto, a leading manufacturer of responsible aluminum, is delivering a new standard for sustainable aluminum cans. The two companies have signed an agreement to work with supply chain partners to bring Anheuser-Busch products in cans made of low carbon aluminum that meet industry-leading sustainability standards.

Leveraging Rio Tinto's low-carbon aluminum from renewable hydropower and its recycled content, Anheuser-Busch produces its most sustainable beer can to date, with a potential reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 30 percent per can compared to similar cans made using today traditional manufacturing techniques in North America. The partnership will also leverage the results of the development of ELYSIS, a disruptive, carbon-free aluminum smelting technology.

Anheuser-Busch is initially focused on North America and plans to pilot the first 1 million cans made as part of the partnership with Michelob ULTRA, the fastest growing beer brand in the USA.

"As a leader in the beer industry, Michelob ULTRA has a responsibility to our consumers and our planet to use our platform forever and to lead the way in sustainability," said Ricardo Marques, Michelob ULTRA's Marketing Vice President. "Sustainable packaging is an important opportunity to make our commitment to the environment tangible and we look forward to exploring the possibilities to bring this to life in 2021 and beyond."

The partnership builds on Anheuser-Busch's US sustainability goals for 2025, which were launched in 2018 and include a validated, scientifically sound target to reduce CO2 emissions in the entire value chain by 25 percent by 2025 and to invest in more sustainable packaging options across the entire product portfolio .

"At Anheuser-Busch, we are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint across our entire value chain and improve the sustainability of our packaging in order to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals," said Ingrid De Ryck, Vice President for Procurement and Sustainability at Anheuser-Busch.

"With this partnership, we will bring low-carbon aluminum to the fore with our consumers and create a model for how companies can work with their suppliers to drive innovative and meaningful change for our environment."

Around 70 percent of the aluminum in Anheuser-Busch cans is currently recycled. By combining this recycled content with low carbon aluminum, Anheuser-Busch will take an important step in reducing carbon emissions in its packaging supply chain, which is the largest contributor to emissions by sector in the company's value chain.