Aluminium's lightweight yet robust nature makes it one of the most accepted metals in packaging. AlCircle's industry-focused report 'Aluminium Industry Outlook 2023' reveals that the global aluminium usage in packaging applications was estimated at 14.7 million tonnes in 2022 and is forecast to reach 15.2 million tonnes by 2023, growing by about 3.3 per cent. The demand for aluminium in this sector was mainly driven by beverage cans, packaging foil and pharmaceutical packaging applications. Apart from the developed economies, the preference for aluminium beverage cans amongst developing countries is growing faster. Let us explore common uses of aluminium in the packaging sector:
- Beverage cans: Younger consumers, new product variations, and environmental awareness have increased demand for beverage cans. Global usage of aluminium beverage cans rose from 343 billion units in 2015 to 416 billion in 2020. By 2030, global production of aluminium beverage cans is forecast to reach 627 billion units. Around 66 per cent of the demand growth for beverage cans is coming from North America, China and Europe, together. North America continues to be the major user of aluminium beverage cans globally. The surge in new beverages such as hard seltzers in the US, canned water in the US and Canada and higher demand for canned beer have all influenced the demand for aluminium beverage cans. The market for aluminium beverage cans in North America is expected to increase from 120 billion cans in 2020 to 173 billion cans by 2030, accounting for 25 per cent of the global market. Around 90,000 aluminium beverage cans are recycled per minute in the US, and 93 per cent of the recycled cans are converted into new cans.
- Aluminium foil: Aluminium foil demand is estimated at 5.8 million tonnes in 2022, of which the packaging sector accounted for most of the usage. Food and pharma packaging are the key markets, and the rest finds use in the form of household foils. The key packaging forms include pouches (all forms), flexible packages, multi-layered-liquid packaging cartons, blister packs, semi-rigid containers, etc. The major markets for aluminium foil are China, the USA and Europe. The metal is finding its use in tetra packs, folding packs, and common household foil packaging.
- Packaging in the beauty industry- aerosol cans: Opting for eco-friendly and sustainable packaging is a new trend in the beauty industry. Brands are readily ditching plastic packaging and using collapsible aluminium tubes and cans. These tubes and cans allow the customers to use the last drop of the product. Apart from protecting the products, these containers can be customized to suit the company's branding. Deodorant bottles are made from aluminium. AEROBAL reported that its members' output of aluminium aerosols increased by 5.5 per cent during the first half of 2022 to reach 3 billion units. Some of the end-use segments that contributed to this growth include pharmaceuticals, hairspray, household products and deodorants, which grew by 9 per cent, 34 per cent, 15 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively, compared to the previous year. The EU's demand for aluminium aerosols increased by 11 per cent, followed by North America at 2.6 per cent in 2022 from a year earlier. Similarly, shipments of aerosol containers to the Middle East soared by around 28 per cent during deliveries to the Asian / Australian region increased by 3.2 per cent.
- Packaging in the healthcare industry: Aluminium packaging is used in the pharmaceutical industry for tablets and ointments. The flexible and durable blister packs protect the tablets from exposure to heat, dust and contaminants. At the same time, these packs are also easy to use. Similarly, aluminium tubes are used for ointments and gels. These tubes remove the need for added preservatives and prevent the products from evaporating. Aluminium spray cans are also used for pain relief sprays.
These are some of the common yet old uses of aluminium. Well-known as the green metal, aluminium is now finding new uses in up-and-coming industries such as the renewable energy sector.
New possibility for aluminium application on the horizon:
Aluminium is taking centre stage in the renewable energy sector. Due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties, the metal is used in producing solar panels, on-shore and off-shore wind projects, turbines, and more. Using aluminium will undoubtedly revolutionize the renewable energy industry and will likely intensify the adoption of clean energy in several other energy- intensive sectors. Decarbonisation and carbon neutrality are taken seriously to ensure sustainable development, prolonged growth, and availability of resources for future generations.
To wrap up:
Overall, aluminium is a highly versatile and valuable metal with countless applications in modern society. From aircraft parts to food packaging, green metal is essential for many aspects of life.
