AB InBev's Magor Brewery unveiled a new storage warehouse last Thursday (31st November) that is estimated to remove the need for 330,000 kilometres of lorry journeys required to transfer goods between external warehouses and the brewery during 2013-14.

This will save an estimated 289 metric tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the annual consumption of 52 UK households.

The new facility, which took just 18 weeks to build, is the UK's largest lightweight building.

The new warehouse is the size of five football pitches and has doubled the brewery's storage capabilities. It will allow AB InBev UK to make a number of important changes as the company continues to reduce its impact on the environment.

The warehouse will help reduce the need for the brewery to use external storage sites, reducing CO2 emissions in the process.

Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, was at the brewery to unveil the warehouse along with John Griffiths, Assembly Member for Newport East, Tony Monteiro, Brewery Manager and members of the brewery team who worked on the project.

Speaking at the event, Tony Monteiro said: "After months of hard work, we are delighted to open this new facility, which will bring years of environmental benefits, helping us to achieve our dream: to be the Best Beer Company in a Better World.

"We are proud to be a partner to our community in Magor, and this facility now contributes to our wider efforts of protecting and promoting the local environment."

The warehouse is an important next step in Magor Brewery's ongoing efforts to help AB InBev achieve its global environmental performance targets. Millions of pounds have been invested over several years at the brewery which has helped to improve its waste recycling rate to 99.8 per cent and reduce CO2 emissions per hectolitre of production by 23.3 per cent. Since the start of 2011, more than six million hectolitres of water have been saved at the brewery - enough to fill 244 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Speaking at the unveiling Jessica Morden MP, commented: "The brewery is an important part of the community in this area and I know how hard both management and local trade unions have worked to lower the impact on the environment. It is therefore with pride that I am cutting the ribbon on the new development as this is yet another important commitment that will further reduce the CO2 emissions. This is a project that will benefit the brewery, the staff and the wider community."

Despite not creating new jobs for the area, the warehouse will secure the factory's position in the area.

AB InBev UK's work to reduce water and waste was recognised with the visit of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to Magor Brewery in November 2011. During his visit, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales met members of the brewery's Environment Committee and saw how energy reduction methods have been implemented throughout the site, with a particular focus on high energy areas such as refrigeration and the packaging lines.

Magor Brewery produces some of the UK's favourite beers, with Stella Artois, Budweiser and Becks brewed on site. The brewery produces 792,000,000 pints each year.