Mon, 28 Jul 2025

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 Could aluminium become the packaging 'champion'?

Some packaging firms say aluminium could be used more widely in packaging, but cost may hold it back
A start-up company called Meadow has developed a new packaging system that uses aluminium cans instead of plastic containers for toiletries, condiments, and household cleaning products. The company believes this could be a major step towards reducing plastic waste worldwide, as aluminium cans have a higher recycling rate (81%) compared to plastic (52%). Meadow has modified the standard aluminium drink can to make it suitable for holding liquids and other products. The can is equipped with dispensing options such as pumps, squeeze tops, or spray nozzles, depending on the contents. Aluminium manufacturer Ball has invested in Meadow and plans to offer this system to major personal care brands. The benefits of using aluminium cans include their recyclability, which is considered "infinitely recyclable", and their lighter weight compared to glass bottles. However, there are some challenges associated with adopting aluminium packaging on a large scale. One of the main concerns is that producing new aluminium requires significant energy and can be more expensive than other materials like glass or plastic. Mark Lansley, owner of Broadland Drinks, which supplied aluminium-bottled wine to Aldi, notes that aluminium bottles are currently four times more expensive than glass ones but offers a lower carbon footprint. He believes that the cost needs to come down for aluminium to become widely adopted. Another challenge is that consumers may need to get used to different packaging designs and functionality. Jamie Stone, packaging expert at PA Consulting, points out that big brands have invested heavily in educating customers about distinctive packaging shapes and forms, which can be difficult to change. Additionally, manufacturers would need to modify or replace their existing plastic packaging lines to handle aluminium cans, which could be a significant cost.
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