New LCA for beverage cans

Within ten years, carbon emissions from aluminium beverage cans have been reduced by almost a third. This is the result of a study by Forum Getränkedosen, which includes leading can manufacturers.

After Forum Getränkedose, the German division of Metal Packaging Europe, published the beverage can sales figures for the German market, the European association in Brussels is now presenting a new life cycle assessment for the aluminium beverage can. The study covers the entire life cycle of aluminium beverage cans produced in Europe from raw material extraction through production to end-of-life. The result: the carbon dioxide footprint was reduced on average by 31 per cent in the period 2006-2016.

The main factors that have made this progress possible include the reduction in can weight and an increase in the recycling rate of aluminium beverage cans. The recyclability of aluminium remains the key factor for further improvements: a five per cent increase in the recycling rate results in a reduction of six per cent in the impact of climate change.

At FachPack you can experience the latest trends in in metal packaging and gain a fascinating overview of packaging machines, labelling and marking technology, solutions for intralogistics and packaging logistics. More information can be found here.

Aluminium beverage cans are made from a single material, which makes them particularly easy to collect, sort and recycle. In 2015, the recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans rose to 74 per cent due to efficient collection and sorting systems and the active participation of European consumers. Aluminium is a permanent material that can be recycled again and again without losing its material properties.

“It is part of Metal Packaging Europe’s mission to provide fact-based and unambiguous information about our industry. We welcome the significant progress our member companies have made and are confident that even greater reductions can be achieved through improved recycling rates across Europe,” says Leonie Knox-Peebles, CEO of Metal Packaging Europe.

The companies providing data for the study were Ardagh Group, CROWN Packaging Europe and Ball Beverage Packaging Europe. European Aluminium provided the latest data sets for sheet aluminium production. The participating companies cover up to 87 per cent of the relevant European markets.

Shishas in Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging

The Swiss company Toff Drehteile AG manufactures water pipes under the label ‘toff design shishas’. To ensure that these arrive atreach the customer without scratches and damage, the family business relies on a new, sustainable e-commerce packaging. The material-optimized solution was developed and produced by DS Smith.
The unusual design consists of a lower and an upper open corrugated board inlay. The inlays securely fix the delicate shishas in the packaging, but without additional filler materials. An unboxing experience is also included for many customers. Because the first thing the customer sees after opening the box is his or her individually produced water pipe in contrast to the natural corrugated cardboard.
Smoking pleasure is promised by ‘toff design shishas’ with its purist, functional design water pipes. The shishas are also individually manufactured at the headquarters of the family business at the request of customers’ requests. Fabian Toff, Managing Director of ‘toff design shishas’ emphasizes: “For online shipping, we were looking for packaging that would reliably protect our sensitive premium products in transit and at the same time stage the unpacking process as an emotional moment. In addition, the solution had to be sustainable and space-saving to store.”

The e-commerce packaging in EB corrugated developed by DS Smith in accordance with their circular design principles, which the company designed drew up together in co-operation with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, meets the requirements 100 percent. The two inserts ensure that the hookahs lie very straight, firm and compact in the shipping carton, according to a company statement. Filling material is just as littleno more required for the material-optimized solution as than adhesive tape: because the box can be closed simply and securely using tuck-in tabs. To protect the package contents, which are in the higher price segment, from theft during transport, the packaging is deliberately not printed on. In addition, the natural corrugated board underlines the sustainability claim of by the product and the company.

Machinery Manufacturers are Currently Drawing on their High Order Backlogs

A recent survey by the VDMA shows that 44 percent of mechanical engineering companies in Baden-Württemberg are cautiously optimistic about the rest of the year. The reason for this is an improvement in the supply of materials, with the exception of electronic components. As a result, 68 percent of companies in Baden-Württemberg expect nominal sales growth for 2023.

You might also be interested in: