AB InBev has opened an automated warehouse with space to store 23 million pints of beer, at its largest UK brewery in Magor, South Wales.
The world’s largest brewer plans a global roll-out of the warehouse technology, making Wales the starting point for the equipment expected to cut its carbon impact. The new facility was opened by the MP for Newport East, Jessica Morden (pictured).
The 80,000 cubic metre warehouse will enable AB InBev to meet growing UK demand for beer brands including Stella Artois, Budweiser, Bud Light and alcohol-free Budweiser Prohibition.
Robotic cranes operating across six storeys and nine miles of racking will be able to retrieve any stored pallet in less than 60 seconds.
The warehouse’s technology will reduce the brewery’s carbon footprint by 605 tonnes of CO2 — the equivalent to the electricity consumption of 600 homes, by reducing transportation between warehouses.
It builds on several investments at the Welsh brewery, including a CO2 recovery system and a waste-to-energy power generator.
The investment reinforces the brewer’s commitment to its 2025 sustainability goals, which includes the target of a 25% reduction in carbon emissions across its value chain against a 2017 baseline — the equivalent of taking more than 1.5 million cars off the road each year.
» AB InBev unveils 2025 sustainability commitments
» AB InBev reports major cost savings
All content on Beer Today is free to access and always will be. If you would like to support the site with a donation, though — £5 a year would be brilliant — that will be very welcome and can be done via the PayPal donation button below. (You do not need to have a PayPal account). Many thanks!
