October 28th, 1999 - Zurich
The concept of the beverage can was invented 40 years ago in the United States, and the use of steel for this type of packaging was developed in Europe 30 years ago. Since its origin, geometric modifications, including the size of the lids and reduction in weight, have lead to the product that exists today.
- Protection of the product from the environment and vice-versa : Indeed the outstanding barrier properties of steel for packaging guarantee light, air and water tightness, well over a one year shelf life period, for carbonated or non carbonated drinks, without any alteration to the beverage properties and qualities. Another important asset of the tamper evidence property of the steel beverage can is that it guarantees the consumer food safety
- Large-scale production and logistics : The connection between the various manufacturing process machines for drinks cans are ensured through specialised conveyance mechanisms. They are simple, reliable, easy to maintain and adapted to the datum speed of the line and the technical and quality characteristics of the products.
Thanks to its magnetic properties, the steel can provides for an excellent performance as it allows the use of magnetic conveyors which are simple, fast, energy-saving, enabling complex establishments in limited spaces.
As a result, optimal production and filling speeds are achieved with over 2,400cpm and 1,800cpm respectively.
Due to the mechanical properties of steel for packaging and development in the necking process of the can, steel beverage cans are also easily stackable, which means economical transportation and storage, while enabling a wide facing on shelves for brand owners.
- Environmental credentials : Steel is a 100% recyclable material without downgrading the material. Indeed, steel is easy to recover thanks to its magnetic properties. In a sorting, composting or incineration plant, separation of steel from other packaging materials is done automatically by means of an electro-magnet, a simple and cheap operation. Indeed, steel is today the sole material than can be sorted on a large scale without any manual intervention.
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The recycling rates of steel packaging in Western Europe led to an estimated recycling rate of 51% in 1998, which surpasses, with no problems whatsoever, the mandatory recycling rate stated in the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste published by the European Commission (15% for each packaging material and for each of the Member States).
Moreover, in compliance with the European Directive regarding waste prevention via resource savings, the industry of steel for packaging is continuously developing its product in order :
- to reduce the average thickness of tin layer,
- to lightweight the steel containers,
- to save energy consumed for the production of steel for packaging.
These recognised mechanical properties and environmental assets resulted in the steel can being indispensable in the beverage market, as it totally complies with the essential functions of a packaging. In today's competitive market, fast moving consumer goods companies are disparately looking for differentiation and there too the steel beverage can complies with such requirements in offering a wide pallet of options for designers and brand owners:
- Decoration is one of the main means of achieving product differentiation on all packaging mediums. Developments in decoration techniques are being pursued vigorously to demonstrate the effectiveness on steel cans, and the benefits in the market place.
