Yamaichi Metal Co., Ltd. was established in May 1961, marking its 60th anniversary in 2021. Throughout our journey, we have upheld one of our corporate philosophies, “Coexistence and Co-prosperity with the environment, resources, and society.”
As of 2020, the demand for aluminum cans in Japan is 21.8 billion cans, with 94% of these recycled. Approximately 10-15% of these recycled aluminum cans are processed through our “CAN TO CAN Recycling” program.
Reflecting on our history at this milestone, we are reminded of the immense support we have received from everyone. It is thanks to this support that we are where we are today. To express our gratitude, we wanted to offer a commemorative gift that everyone would enjoy. We commissioned GKB Co., Ltd., a local craft beer brewery in Shizuoka, to create an original draft beer for us.
Exquisite Local Beer Made with Fuji’s Famous Water and German Technology
Gotenba Kogen Beer, visited by approximately 600,000 people annually
GKB Co., Ltd. strictly adheres to the teachings of German brewmasters and brews each batch of local beer with the dedication of making “fresh and truly delicious local beer.” The brewery’s adjacent restaurant attracts around 600,000 visitors annually, and since its opening in 1995, it has welcomed over 10 million guests. Today, it is one of the largest beer producers in Japan.
The cans of Gotenba Kogen Beer are made by Yamaichi Metal
The cans used for Gotenba Kogen Beer, produced and sold by GKB Co., Ltd., are made from recycled aluminum cans processed by Yamaichi Metal. Given this connection, we believed that GKB Co., Ltd. was the perfect partner to produce a commemorative beer that would bring joy to everyone.
Creating a Commemorative Beer That Everyone Will Love
When we discussed the keyword “a beer that everyone will love,” Mr. Muraishi, the brewing department manager and factory manager, suggested several types of beer. Each beer, with different tastes and flavors, was uniquely crafted by adjusting the ratio of standard ingredients to create a perfect balance. We tasted all the beers and ultimately chose the one that best fit the concept of “for everyone.”
GKB Co., Ltd.’s Efforts to Address Environmental Issues by Reusing Malt Waste
Reusing industrial waste “malt waste” as feed for poultry farms
GKB Co., Ltd. has independently pursued various initiatives with an eye on environmental issues and the SDGs. Brewing craft beer requires a large amount of malt, and the brewing process produces several tons of malt waste each month. Typically, malt waste is disposed of as industrial waste, but GKB Co., Ltd. developed a technology to reuse it as feed for poultry farms.
Connecting the Recycling Loop
What was once an irreversible process of “use and dispose” has been transformed into a reversible process by reusing malt waste as fertilizer for lawns. Furthermore, using malt waste as poultry feed has created a “loop,” or a recycling process. GKB Co., Ltd. stated that they will continue to deliver delicious beer while actively working to improve the environment.
Working Together as Companies from Shizuoka to Improve the Environment
The 60th-anniversary commemorative draft beer we distributed was well-received, and we received many positive comments from our valued customers. GKB Co., Ltd., with whom we collaborated for this commemorative gift, shares our commitment to actively addressing environmental issues. As companies from Shizuoka, we aim to continue improving the environment through mutual effort and dedication.
