Due to this, aluminum has emerged the most ubiquitous packaging material due to its unique combination of properties, affordable cost and sustainability. Since global production of aluminium is about 67 million metric tons annually, a large share of that goes to packaging (bottles and cans like beverage containers, food containers, pharmaceutical packaging etc. Such prevalence is not a coincidence, but rather an outcome of calculable gains and technological advancement.
Aluminum is the only material that provides a barrier against light, moisture, oxygen and pollutants and protects products from damage. Aluminum cans, at least for example, are able to maintain the integrity of their taste up to six months, while other materials have less time than that. Not only that, but its lightweight also decreases costs of transportation dramatically. An example of why: One aluminum can weighs roughly 14 grams, but glass or plastic versions are often over twice that weight, driving up transportation costs and carbon-impact.
About 75% of all aluminum ever produced remains in use today, according to the International Aluminium Institute, which is a figure industries are keenly aware of when it comes to recyclability. This number signifies its closed-loop recycling system that conserves energy to the extent of 95% as opposed to generating primary aluminium. From Coca-Cola to Anheuser-Busch, organizations have publicly committed to ramping up their recycled aluminum consumption, and further the role recycled aluminum plays in sustainable business practices.
Technically, aluminum can be used for complex forms and branding since it has a malleability that permits intricate designs. Special-edition aluminum cans for the Super Bowl (PepsiCo) — PepsiCo is also an excellent case study to demonstrate how advertisers capitalize on this versatility to engage consumers and increase brand exposure. This versatility also includes functional coatings that boost shelf-appeal, while protecting the contents from chemical reactions.
Discussions about packaging are often embroiled with questions regarding cost-effectiveness. Aluminium is a strong and durable metal which does not corrode, further reducing ongoing maintenance or replacement costs. Startups and small businesses often operate on shoestring budgets, but aluminum can packaging is an ideal option to serve such brands in the long-term despite high initial costs.
As the good old Thomas Edison once said, “An idea is only as good as its application.” The wisdom of this saying can be seen in the packaging industry as it anticipates modern consumer preferences while solving ecological problems through aluminum adoption. Together with its incorporation into the existing global infrastructure of recycling, its low carbon footprint guarantees that aluminum maintains an industry-leading status.
For more information on the benefits of aluminum can packaging, click here.