Analysis of the Metal aluminum Can  in the United

The market size the metal can industry in the United States is projected to reach $20.73 in 2024 and is expected to reach $24.18 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.13% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The increasing popularity of metal cans can be attributed to several factors, including their sustainability, durability, ease of use, and consumer preferences for new forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, food, and aerosols. Metal cans, especially aluminum cans, are the most widely recycled packaging format globally. They can be recycled without compromising their quality at the end of their lifecycle, making them the preferred packaging material for various industries, surpassing other materials such as plastics and paper. In the United States, approximately 105,784 aluminum cans are recycled every minute, with an overall recycling rate close to 50%, the highest among all beverage containers.

By 2030, a significant increase in the demand for aluminum cans is projected, and North America, particularly the United States, is expected to make significant contributions to this growth in demand. The country is undergoing continuous vertical and horizontal integration due to the high demand for metal packaging. In May 2023, Manna Capital partnered with Ball Corporation to expand the production and recycling facilities for aluminum can sheet in the United States.

Metal cans are crucial for pet food packaging and play a vital role in the market for plastic-free pet food packaging. The increasing demand for pet food in the United States is driving the increase in the production capacity of metal cans used for pet food. According to a study published by the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) in July 2023, the pet food and treats industry alone generates approximately 300 million pounds of plastic waste annually in the United States.

This factor has led some processors to move away from plastic packaging and adopt metal cans for pet food production. Metal can packaging faces fierce competition from alternative packaging solutions, such as plastic, paper, or glass packaging solutions. Plastic packaging remains the primary competitor to metal packaging. The food and beverage industry, the major user of metal cans, has begun adopting recyclable plastic packaging solutions. Plastic cans offer transparency, which helps brands showcase the quality of their food products. Furthermore, the continuous improvement of plastic packaging poses a threat to the market. This is mainly due to the popularity of plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as alternatives to metal can packaging solutions in the food and beverage industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the growth of the food and beverage industry, which holds a significant share in the metal can packaging market, as it is considered an essential sector. Can manufacturers have reduced the weight by decreasing the gauge required for manufacturing cans. Metal cans are capable of withstanding the carbonation pressure required for packaging carbonated beverages, and they can resist pressures of up to 90 pounds per square inch. This factor makes cans the preferred packaging choice for the beverage industry.

Aluminum Drives Growth

Aluminum cans long-term advantages in preserving food quality, being nearly 100% resistant to light, oxygen, moisture, and other contaminants. The material is rust-proof, corrosion-resistant, and one of the longest-lasting materials in any packaging. The use of aluminum cans in the food and beverage industry continues to grow due to their protective properties, sustainability advantages, and convenience. This trend is expected to continue as both manufacturers and consumers recognize the benefits of aluminum packaging.

By manufacturing new alloys for aluminum aerosol cans, significant weight reduction can be achieved, and these alloys are developed in collaboration with metal block manufacturers. This promotes greater sustainability. The same applies to full-body transport packaging, which is used more frequently in the industry and benefits logistics and the environment.

The market share of aluminum aerosol cans is driven by an increase in their usage in the personal care and automotive industries. The practical packaging option of 100 to 250 milliliter aluminum aerosol cans is becoming increasingly widespread. Other submarkets, including 251 to 500 milliliters and less than 100 milliliters, have seen better revenue in the global market.

Compared to competing packaging types, aluminum cans have higher recycling rates and contain more recycled content. According to the Aluminum Association, it is one of the most recyclable materials on the market. In April 2022, Ball Corporation partnered with Recycle Aerosol LLC to improve the recycling rate of aluminum aerosol cans in the United States. This collaboration will increase the recycling of aerosol cans and establish a closed-loop system to recycle used cans into new ones.

According to statistics from the Aluminum Association, the aluminum industry recycles over 40 billion beverage cans annually. By recycling aluminum currently going to landfills, the United States can save up to $800 million per year.

Recently, aluminum beverage cans have become the most recyclable beverage containers in the country. The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), representing members of the beverage industry, is committed to raising the U.S. aluminum recycling rate to new levels. CMI has released comprehensive primers and roadmaps explaining how CMI plans to achieve its ambitious recycling rate targets for 2020-2021. The new aluminum beverage recycling rate goals announced by CMI members are to reach 70% by 2030, 80% by 2040, and 90% by 2050.