UACJ, Toyo Seikan Group Holdings and Suntory have announced that they will jointly conduct sales of the world’s first 100% recycled cans. UACJ will supply can materials made from 100% recycled materials, and the can materials will be manufactured into cans by Toyo Seikan and then the cans will be utilized by Suntory as ‘CO2 Reduction Can(s)’ and go on sale from September 6th in limited amounts. By supplying markets with special cans (can body and top end) that reduce CO2 emissions by 60%, the companies aim to emphasize their contributions to decreasing the environmental impact of cans.

  For the aluminum materials of the recycled cans, the companies will utilize UBC (used beverage cans) and the left-overs of can materials generated during the manufacturing process. The cans will not use new bullions and will utilize raw materials 100% recycled from can materials. In fiscal year 2021 the recycling rate of aluminum cans was around 97%, and domestically 67% of the recycled materials were again utilized as raw materials for aluminum cans.

  It is said that it is difficult to manufacture aluminum beverage cans entirely from recycled bullion since the top end and body use different alloys. UACJ realized the 100% use of recycled materials for both the can top end and body by conducting special management methods including for the selection, separation and aluminum sheet manufacturing processes.

  As for Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, they have been pursuing the mass production of beverage cans (including the top end) using 100% recycled aluminum based on their policy of increasing the environmental benefits provided by aluminum cans. The company designated the above-mentioned undertaking as a trial, and through this they identified the challenges regarding production and quality and also acquired knowledge and experience. In the past it was difficult from a technological standpoint to utilize recycled aluminum for manufacturing can top ends, but now that a viable method has been found, from now on the group will speed up their measures for mass production.