La Beverage Can Association (ALB), a non-profit entity formed by the companies that supply beverage cans in the Spanish and Portuguese market - Ardagh Group, Ball and Crown -, has announced the incorporation of Mercedes Gomez Paniagua as director of the entity.
With a degree in Environmental Sciences from the Autonomous University of Madrid, the new head of the ALB is also an MBA from the European University and a PhD from the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
Professional in the field of the Circular Economy for more than 24 years, Mercedes Gómez Paniagua is specialized in the recycling of packaging waste, having spent much of her career in the technical field and research, development and innovation. Until the time of her incorporation, Ella Gómez held the position of general director of Ecosense Foundation. She previously dedicated her activity mainly to the expanded responsibility of packaging producer for 15 years at Ecoembes.
Since its creation in 1995, the Beverage Can Association has throughout this time promoted the positive positioning of its packaging in addition to offering information on its consumption and recycling. The ALB is part of Metal Packaging Europe, an entity that brings together the metal packaging sector in Europe.
Recycling of aluminum beverage cans grows
The ALB has reported that in Spain the recycling rate of aluminum beverage cans went from 67% in 2022 to 70% in 2023. This calculation is carried out according to a demanding methodology defined by the European Union in 2021, whose objective is guarantee the unification of criteria and the comparability of recycling rates between member countries as well as packaging materials. In 2023, 77.000 tons were recycled, compared to 68.000 in 2022. This represents an increase of 13%, but taking into account that consumption also increased by 1%, the final increase in the recycling rate stood at 8 points. percentages.
It is important to highlight that this recycling rate of 70% has been achieved through a system of voluntary participation, which shows, on the one hand, the commitment of Spanish citizens who, increasingly, place their packaging in selective containers and, on the other hand, another, that of local entities, which are responsible for the collection and classification of waste in our country.
Increase in consumption of canned drinks
Studies carried out by the Beverage Cans Association indicate that in 2023 the consumption of canned drinks in Spain increased by 1,8% compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the sale of canned soft drinks, sports and energy drinks grew by 4,1% thanks to the good performance of commercial channels related to opportunity consumption, tourism and even outdoor sports and leisure activities.
Once again, beer was the most canned drink in Spain. The can continues to be the preferred container for Spaniards for domestic beer consumption thanks to its rapid cooling, transportability and easy storage. 54% of beverage cans sold in Spain in 2023 were beer.
