F&N returns to Myanmar with launch of Emerald Brewery

The company invested $96.69m on the brewery last year.

Fraser and Neave (F&N) marked its return to Myanmar’s beer market with Emerald Brewery commencing operations a year after investing $96.69m (US$70m), according to a press release.

Located in Hlegu Township, Yangon, it will brew and market Chang Lager Beer and is set to deliver an annual beer production capacity of 500,000 hectolitres.

Emerald Brewery’s facility will pack and distribute the beer in five formats – 330ml and 500ml cans, 320ml and 620ml bottles and 30-litre keg.

Its machinery, supplied by industry-leading Krones, was designed with smart energy-saving features, so it can enjoy water, electricity and thermal energy savings. It is also equipped with a Japan-developed wastewater treatment system, where 90% of all treated wastewater will be repurposed for gardening and brewery upkeep. Solar energy will also be tapped to power up 30% of its operations.

Emerald Brewery follows the same brewing process at the Chang Beer brewery in Thailand. Raw ingredients are imported, with malt from Europe and hops from Germany and the US.

The company also expressed plans to invest in local manufacturing, employ local people, engage with local suppliers and distributors and support community investment programs in the country. F&N board executive committee chair Koh Poh Tiong said that over 170 employees were hired full-time in the brewery.

Prior to the launch of brewery operations, Emerald Brewery assigned 80 team members to receive intensive training over a one-month period from the Chang Beer team in Bangkok, Thailand. This was followed by additional training programmes held in Yangon focusing on areas such as the brewing process, quality checks, and safety.