‘TBC’ or Thai Beverage Can Ltd. joins forces with partners in the aluminium beverage packaging industry to continue the ‘Can to Can Journey Year 6’ project, igniting Thailand’s closed-loop recycling movement. This builds on the signing of the Thailand EPR & Climate Action cooperation framework among all sectors to drive the Aluminium Loop model toward a sustainable packaging system, reducing carbon emissions and moving toward the Net Zero 2050 target.
Saroj Chayavivatkul, President of Thai Beverage Can Ltd., revealed that following the joint declaration to promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and climate change adaptation toward sustainable packaging management in support of Thailand’s Net Zero 2050 goal, TBC and its partners in the Aluminium Loop network have elevated the Can to Can Journey project—now in its 6th year—to create opportunities for the public sector, private sector, customers, and media to learn and experience the end-to-end aluminium can recycling process firsthand. The project is supported by key partners in the aluminium beverage packaging industry: Thai Beverage Recycle Co., Ltd. (TBR), Anglo Asia Trading Co., Ltd., and UACJ (Thailand) Co., Ltd., as well as one of the country’s major beverage producers and distributors, ThaiNamthip Corporation Public Co., Ltd., which opened its factory for actual process site visits.
The Can to Can Journey project aims to further promote the development of the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) Economy—especially Circular Economy—by demonstrating the sustainability pathway of aluminium beverage packaging through the traceable closed-loop recycling system of the Aluminium Loop. Activities include visiting the aluminium can production process, collection, sorting, recycling, and the production of aluminium sheets from recycled materials—ensuring that used packaging can return to high-quality material status for new cans. This strengthens understanding among consumers and the business sector on how Circular Economy principles can be practically applied within Thailand’s industrial landscape.
In addition, the collaboration within the Aluminium Loop and the Can to Can Journey project reflects the shared commitment of all sectors in driving Thailand toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, by promoting the use of infinitely recyclable aluminium. This helps reduce energy consumption in production by up to 95% compared to using virgin materials, and can reduce the carbon footprint by as much as 30 times. This ultimately lowers the overall environmental impact, enhances the competitiveness of Thai industries in the global market, and elevates environmental and sustainability standards.
“Every can that is recycled is another step toward sustainability, and it is a key driving force in leading Thailand toward its Net Zero Emission target by 2050. Collaboration among network partners not only reduces the amount of packaging waste that ends up in the environment, but also highlights the value of aluminium beverage packaging and its positive impact on the environment and society — creating a sustainable future for generations to come.
As a leading aluminium can manufacturer in Thailand, TBC is committed to improving production processes to deliver environmentally friendly packaging and to further strengthen efficient resource circulation — from reducing resource consumption, such as through the company’s “Star Can” project which produces lightweight aluminium cans using reduced material without compromising product quality, and supporting the collection of used cans. All of this helps reduce packaging waste, promotes a fully integrated recycling system, and leads to a sustainable reduction of carbon footprint,” Saroj said.
Sirinee Rattananiwate, Business Development Manager at Thai Beverage Recycle Co., Ltd. (TBR), stated that TBR is committed to building a fully integrated packaging management system—from sorting and collection to delivery to recyclers—through a traceable process. This is achieved by working collaboratively with partners across the aluminium beverage packaging value chain, using the traceable data system of the Aluminium Loop to track the volume of cans released into the market versus the equivalent weight of cans returned to the collection system for further recycling. This serves as a model of sustainable packaging management in line with the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is gaining increasing focus within Thailand’s industrial sector.
The closed-loop aluminium recycling system under the Aluminium Loop project enables the efficient collection and return of used aluminium cans back into the recycling process—where each and every can can be recycled back into new cans again. This demonstrates a tangible result of cross-sector collaboration in reducing environmental impact and creating added economic value for the domestic industry.
Puntarika Susuntitapong, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at ThaiNamthip Corporation Public Co., Ltd, revealed that as a leading player in Thailand’s beverage industry, Thainamthip Coca-Cola recognizes the important role of beverage producers in ensuring that every can produced can be tracked, collected, and recycled for reuse. We are pleased to participate in this project to promote the collection and recycling of aluminium cans in Thailand. This reflects Thainamthip Coca-Cola’s commitment to supporting the development of packaging that reduces environmental impacts, and to driving an effective circular packaging system at a national level—encouraging consumers to see the importance of recycling, which is a key mechanism for reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability.
Mr. Christopher Richard Hirst, President and CEO of Anglo Asia Trading Co., Ltd., stated that as the main aluminium recycler in the project, the company plays a key role in turning used aluminium beverage packaging back into new raw materials. With its strengths in advanced recycling technology, the company is able to accurately separate aluminium, minimize material loss, and reduce energy consumption in the production process with high efficiency. The company drives the Can to Can Journey project by providing real-world experiences, which is the most effective way to inspire all sectors to recognize the value of recycling and be part of positive environmental change.
Mr. Tetsuya Yamada, CEO of UACJ (Thailand) Co., Ltd., revealed that UACJ’s plant located in Amata City Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, is the largest fully integrated aluminium sheet manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia, equipped with modern production technology and world-class environmental management standards. Participating in the Aluminium Closed Loop Recycling project enhances UACJ’s role from being a producer to becoming a leader in developing a green industrial system, contributing to balancing economic growth with sustainable environmental protection. Currently, UACJ is working with TBC to increase the proportion of recycled aluminium used in the production of aluminium beverage packaging as much as possible, which will further reduce the use of natural resources.
The Can to Can Journey project plays an important role in driving learning and motivating the beverage industry toward a systematic adoption of low-carbon packaging, with the “Aluminium Loop” serving as a transparent and traceable closed-loop recycling model. It is the mechanism that will expand sustainable packaging management nationwide, reflecting the potential of green economic opportunities and strengthening Thailand’s industrial competitiveness in the future.