Petainer, a United Kingdom-based maker of large PET kegs that can replace traditional steel containers in the beer industry, is expanding into South America.
Petainer's new standalone business in Brazil is targeting the rapidly growing craft brewing sector in the country, and large regional brewers with its one-way PET kegs.
Brazil is the third largest beer market in the world behind China and the U.S. and, despite the economic crisis, craft beer sales are growing by 40 percent a year. Petainer markets its plastic kegs as a simpler way to transport beer for draft sales. Rather than returning empty kegs, users can recycle Petainer's kegs in standard PET recycling streams.
Ricardo Leonel Vieira has been appointed as Petainer's country manager in Brazil, based in São Paulo. He has responsibility for growing Petainer's share of the Brazilian market, managing the relationship with established partners such as KHS, as well as expanding the distributor network in the region. By establishing a local presence, Petainer can ensure on-demand availability and supply for brewers.
“Latin America is of strategic importance to Petainer, particularly in terms of growing our one-way PET keg business,” explained Chris McEwan, Group Business Development Director. “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ricardo Leonel Vieira who has excellent local market expertise and a successful track record in building businesses in the region.”
Petainer will officially launch its presence in Brazil at this year's Brasil Brau, which is taking place July 26-28 in São Paulo.
“Petainer is launching petainerkeg in Brazil to offer breweries the best quality, economical solution to protect and preserve the quality of their draft beer,” Vieria said.
The company also has been exploring market potential in China. It took part this year's Craft Beer China 2017 Conference & Exhibition in Shanghai in May.