Diageo invests in project to create UK alumunium circular economy

Diageo has announced it has provided funding to establish the British Alumunium Consortium for Advance Alloys (BACALL), a collective of industry experts who will create a circular economy for aluminium in the UK.

The group will build a plant to roll hundreds of thousands of tonnes of alumunium sheet in the UK, more than enough for over 400 million cans of Guinness and pre-mixed Gordon’s and tonic.

The production will keep the recycling of alumunium in the UK and cement the UK’s position as a leader in the adoption of carbon reduction and manufacturing.

Diageo has been working with BACALL since 2021, after they jointly funded a study with the British government into how a large-scale circular economy strategy could be adopted in this sector.

Ewan Andrew, Global Supply Chain and Procurement & Chief Sustainability Officer at Diageo, commented: “We are excited to be a part of a project that will ultimately change the production of aluminum in the UK. We are now seeking to work in partnership with business and Government to not only reduce aluminium’s carbon footprint, but also to bring this part of the aluminium supply chain back to the UK.”

David Sneddon, non-executive Director of BACALL Aluminium Ltd added:“Aluminium is one of the most recyclable materials on the planet – yet the 15 billion plus cans made in the UK rely on an energy-intensive supply chain, that requires aluminium to be brought in and out of the country.

“By sourcing, recycling, manufacturing and supplying aluminium flat rolled sheet in the UK, we can localize and close the supply chain, providing substantial reductions in carbon emissions. This will help create a more sustainable aluminium industry and will secure the future capacity of ultra-low carbon alloys.”

23 May 2023 - Bradley Weir