Iconic Australian-owned business Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has launched a 200ml mini can range for its passionfruit, lemon lime & bitters, and pink grapefruit brews.
The aluminium cans are filled on the company’s in-house canning line, which was supplied by Fibre King last year.
The new slimline range is an extension of the company’s Bundaberg ginger beer canned option which, according to John McLean, CEO of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, turned out 3.4 million units within 12 months of its 2020 launch due to popular demand.
Research over the past 18 months has shown a global rise in consumer demand for treat-sized drinks. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks observed this emerging trend throughout 2020, where a shift in consumer behaviour resulted in a record 1.3 million mini cans brewed in December.
McLean said, “Moving into a mini can format has allowed us to expand our offering to a wider consumer base, particularly those who like smaller portion sizes or want a more portable option for outdoor occasions like picnics in the backyard or by the family pool.
“Aluminium cans also align with Bundaberg's strong commitment to recyclable packaging formats matching the 100 per cent recyclable status of our existing glass stubby bottle, paperboard wraps and corrugate cartons," he added.
Local canmaker Orora, which has four plants in Australia, supplies the 200ml aluminium cans and ends.
The Fibre King canning line includes an automatic depalletiser for the empty cans, a singuliser and empty can conveyors, a rinser using di-ionised air, an elevating conveyor with side grippers, conveyors for the filled cans, a wraparound casepacker and automatic palletiser – all contained in operator platforms, perimeter fencing and guarding to AS4024 specs.
At the centre of the line is the rotary volumetric filler supplied by Krones. This Craftmate VFS-C24 filler, originally designed for craft brewers, is designed for flexibility in size changes at low outputs. With 24 filling valves, the machine’s specific output for can sizes up to 250ml is 17,500 per hour, fully within the capability of the seaming machine, a Pneumatic Scale Angelus 4V machine with four turrets connected with servo-drive technology.
McLean confirmed that the company’s best performing brews had been selected because it knew consumers loved the unique flavours.
“We see this as a natural evolution of our premium Australian-made brews and by prioritising taste, we know this extension will resonate with a market seeking a smaller portion size to help celebrate everyday moments,” he said.
The passionfruit, lemon lime & bitters, and pink grapefruit slimline cans can now be purchased from Coles and online at Amazon; and they will be available from IGA in a few weeks’ time.
