In an effort to move away from plastic six-pack rings, AB InBev is testing out a new model of beer can for its brand Corona designed to screw one into another vertically to form a long, pole-like multi-pack.
Dubbed the Fit Pack, customers can screw up to 10 cans into another, which makes a pole about four-feet (1.20 m) tall. Most probably this is not really practical or would at least look unusual to most consumers. However, a stack of 4, 5 or 6 cans is still convenient to carry and could be a viable solution for avoiding unnecessary plastic waste as can be seen in a promotional video by Corona.
The cans are being test marketed in Mexico and will be introduced into additional markets if consumers like the new packaging.
Other companies have already presented different solutions for the same problem. After a successful market test in the UK, Danish brewer Carlsberg has gone global in February 2019 with a new packaging for six-packs called Snap Pack (inside.beer, 5.2.2019). The concept was presented first in September last year (inside.beer, 7.9.2018) and replaces the traditional plastic rings with tough glue that holds the beer cans together. Customers can simply 'snap' away a can from the pack, while the glue is left on the cans to be removed during the recycling process.
Two months ago, global beer and spirits maker Diageo announced to replace plastic ring carriers and shrink wrap from beer multipacks of brands including Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s by 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable cardboard (inside.beer, 15.4.2019).
But Corona’s concept goes one step further according to Carlos Ranero, global vice president, consumer connections at AB InBev: “In the beverage industry, there have been many solutions for cutting back the use of plastic; however, none has been fully adopted because they require the use of other materials. This solution has a very simple approach that can bring great financial benefits thanks to the complete removal of plastic materials in packaging.”
Instead of cardboard or glue, the new cans have threads at the top and bottom that allow them to be connected and stacked on top of each other.
