Aluminium cans are the most widely recycled beverage package: about 70% of cans are recycled globally, and recycling uses roughly 5% of the energy needed for new aluminium. A 330 ml can weighs around 13 g, about one-fifteenth of a glass bottle, and blocks light and oxygen, which makes cans a strong choice for juice, soft drinks, tea and coffee.
What are aluminium beverage cans made of?
Beverage cans are made from aluminium alloy sheet, produced from bauxite ore (or recycled scrap), then rolled thin and formed into a seamless body with a separate lid.
- Can body: drawn and ironed from a thin but strong sheet.
- Lid (end): a slightly thicker alloy with the pull tab, seamed on after filling.
- Inner lining: a food-grade coating that separates the drink from the metal. Many manufacturers now use BPA-non-intent (BPA-NI) linings.
Why do beverage brands choose aluminium cans?
- Product protection: cans are a complete barrier to light and oxygen, which slows flavour loss and oxidation.
- Light weight: lower freight cost and no breakage risk compared with glass.
- Fast chilling: metal cools quickly in fridges and coolers.
- Shelf impact: 360-degree printing gives strong visibility at retail.
- High-speed filling: can lines run at high volumes with consistent seaming.
- Export-friendly: compact, stackable and robust for long sea freight.
Aluminium can vs PET vs glass
| Criteria | Aluminium can | PET bottle | Glass bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (330 ml) | About 13 g | About 15–25 g | About 180–250 g |
| Light and oxygen barrier | Complete | Partial | Good (oxygen), depends on colour (light) |
| Resealable | No (usually) | Yes | Sometimes |
| Breakage risk | Very low | Very low | High |
| Recycling | Infinitely recyclable, high value scrap | Recyclable, quality drops over cycles | Infinitely recyclable, heavy to transport |
What are the drawbacks of aluminium cans?
- Cost: the can itself usually costs more than a PET bottle of the same size.
- Acidic products: high-acid juices need a suitable inner lining to avoid corrosion.
- No visibility: shoppers cannot see the drink, which matters for products with pulp or jelly.
- Equipment: filling and seaming need dedicated can lines, which is why many brands use an OEM manufacturer.
- Carbon footprint of new metal: primary aluminium is energy-intensive, so the environmental benefit depends on high recycled content and recycling rates.
How sustainable are aluminium cans?
Aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality, and a recycled can can be back on the shelf in about 60 days. According to the International Aluminium Institute, the global beverage can recycling rate is around 70%. In Europe the average is about 75%, and deposit-return countries such as Germany and Norway exceed 95%. Many global drinks brands have expanded canned ranges as part of plastic-reduction goals.
Canned beverages from ACM
ACM produces canned juices, sparkling drinks, tea, coffee and energy drinks in standard, sleek and slim cans for OEM, ODM and private label, with ISO, FSSC 22000, FDA and HALAL certification and exports to over 40 countries. Browse sparkling drinks, energy drinks or fruit juices, and compare formats in choosing the right packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are aluminium cans better than plastic bottles?
For light and oxygen protection and recyclability, yes. PET is cheaper, lighter per large volume and resealable, so the best choice depends on the product and market.
Do aluminium cans affect the taste of drinks?
No. The inner lining keeps the drink from touching the metal, so taste is protected.
How many times can aluminium be recycled?
Indefinitely. Aluminium does not lose its properties when it is melted and reformed.
What can sizes are common for beverages?
Common sizes are 250 ml slim, 330 ml standard or sleek, and 500 ml, depending on the drink and market.
