In January 25, 2022, the Toyo Seikan Group entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with Agnavi Inc., which sells Japanese sake packed in 180 ml single-serve metal cans under the brand of ICHIGO- CAN®. We will build and enhance the business platform to offer the brand and aim to increase sake consumption, thereby contributing to the revitalization of sake breweries and local communities.
Traditionally, only limited brands of sake have been served in aluminum cans because of a heavy burden of investment in equipment at small breweries. Therefore, the use of aluminum cans has also been very limited in the entire sake market.
Agnavi’s ICHI-GO-CAN® sake packed in 180 ml single-serve cans enables brewers to offer their products in small quantity, in a stylish form, and with convenience to carry. Using TSUME-TARO, a can filling equipment rental service provided by the Toyo Seikan Group free of charge, Agnavi aims to increase sake consumption through the sales of selections of local sake across Japan, conveying the appeal of local brands that does not depend on the size of breweries.
The aluminum can is not just environmentally friendly due to its high recyclability. It is also resistant to break and able to completely block UV rays, the worst enemy of sake, and deliver fresh sake to consumers. Furthermore, its lightweight and durable body and advantage of creating little dead space for storage and transportation allow for the exploration of new marketing channels, including export to other countries.
We have provided solutions to various issues in the world through supplying packaging containers best suited to the needs of manufacturers of food, beverage and household products. In the sake market, we have also been offering products and services that meet the needs of brewers. Our offerings include “Kinuhari,” a glass bottle that allows an original, high-quality design printing on the body and can be ordered in small lots from as few as 24 bottles, and the TSUMETARO, a filling machine rental service.
