On the road to success around the globe

In the global packaging market, production of aluminium aerosol cans has continuously risen. Aluminium aerosol cans have successfully consolidated and expanded their position in the highly competitive global packaging market. Total production of aluminium aerosol cans worldwide amounts to roughly 8 billion units and accounts for more than 50 per cent of the total world aerosol can production. While most of the European markets appear to be relatively saturated, there is considerable potential for growth in the emerging markets of Asia and South America. Rising disposable income and the growing popularity of this “luxurious” form of packaging in these regions will ensure that the outlook continues to be bright. About 80 per cent of the world’s production goes into the body care sector, mainly deodorants and perfumes as well as hair care products. Other important markets are pharmaceuticals, food as well as household and technical applications.

Deodorants and perfumes continue to be the dominant and most important markets for aluminium aerosol cans accounting for 60 per cent of the cans produced worldwide. The reasons for this are obvious: Aluminium aerosol cans are the ideal packaging in this sector, especially for the globally known brands and their products. They are often positioned in the high-priced segment because of their material-intrinsic premium appeal, luxurious feel and their persuasive visual appearance providing convincing product differentiation at the point of sale. Furthermore, aluminium aerosols offer high standards of quality and safety and the complete range of convenience aspects that are expected of packaging, especially in up-market sectors. Sophisticated printing techniques and a wide range of finishing options give marketing strategists and creatives the chance to bring brand worlds and product images onto the aluminium can in an effective and eye-catching way.

In the wide-ranging market of the body care sector with its almost infinite variety of shower gels and other body care products, but also sun care products or shaving products, aluminium aerosol cans present themselves as a versatile packaging material in daily use. Since aluminium aerosols are corrosion resistant, they are able to withstand humidity which regularly occurs in bathrooms. Due to its light weight, easy and safe transport, the aluminium can is particularly suitable for the requirements and needs of a mobile society. This is another reason why the chances for further growth are good. New product ideas, expansion of brand portfolios and new product ranges around the globe with differentiated addressing and development of new target groups make the prospects in the huge market for cosmetics and body care appear very positive. The general development on international markets also contributes to this: Rising living standards in the emerging countries of South America and Asia and a growing adoption of an international lifestyle and consumer culture will promote these markets even more.

Similar to the body care market, the hair care segment also offers consumers a vast variety of products and brands. The market is driven strongly by new trends in fashion and styling. Hair sprays, hair mousses, hair gels and other special applications follow the current hair fashions around the globe. Hair sprays, for example, are often also being used in the professional sector. Hairdressers and operators of salons and trendy hair studios decide on the respective product and brand. And it is precisely here that the aluminium aerosol can's time has come. Due to the generally larger format, there is plenty of room for generous, striking and trendy artwork which can be convincingly realized on an aluminium surface. No seams disturb the fascinating look of the often specially shaped cans. Form and design, ergonomics and convenience in perfect harmony. There is no better packaging than the aluminium can with its luxurious and modern look for the beauty and hair care sectors.

About eight per cent of aluminium aerosol cans produced worldwide are supplied to the pharmaceutical/medical sector. The growth prospects in this hygiene-oriented sector are promising. Aerosol cans are used here mainly for disinfectant sprays and other cleaners, for medication for treating burns, for asthma inhalers and in dentistry and medicinal dental care. Increasingly they are also being used in veterinary medicine. The pharmaceutical market is hygiene- and quality-wise definitely one of the most demanding markets. And it is again the whole host of benefits that other forms of packaging cannot match that makes the aluminium aerosol can particularly attractive for pharmaceutical applications: highest standards of product protection thanks to its unique barrier properties, utmost hygiene, safety and reliability in use, and precise dosing. The aluminium aerosol can perfectly fulfils the extremely high standards that apply in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.

The food sector only accounts for about two per cent of total aluminium aerosol can production. Nevertheless, many products are available in aluminium cans today an there is room for growth: whipped cream, mustard, oil and vinegar, spices, pancake and waffle batter, sprays with egg glazing and egg-white foam, gelatine sprays, edible spray paint and other decorative products that add that special touch to modern and creative cuisine. There are no limits on people’s fantasies. The aluminium aerosol can reveals its full potential with foodstuffs such as long storage life thanks to excellent product protection, extremely high standards of hygiene, precise dosing and exact application using special dispenser solutions for every possible application. These attributes prevent product deterioration and unnecessary squandering of the resources used to produce the foodstuffs. And all of this in accordance with the strict legislation on foodstuffs in force worldwide. Here, too, the aluminium aerosol can sets standards that comparable forms of packaging cannot match.

About seven per cent of aluminium aerosol cans produced worldwide is used for the numerous products that are used every day in the home and for technical applications all over the globe: air fresheners, window and oven cleaners, cleansing foam for the bathroom and kitchen, carpet cleaners and refreshers, furniture polish and other wood-care products, starch, shoe care and impregnation sprays, all types of paint, lacquer and adhesive, insect-repellent sprays, firefighting products and pet care. In the automotive sector they are used for polish, de-icers, window and engine cleaners or other special cleaning agents, degreasers, penetrating lubricants and all possible types of oil. In the broadly diversified industrial and technical sector special paints as well as anti-corrosion sprays, lubricants, mould release sprays and freezers are packed in aluminium aerosols. Everywhere here, the aluminium can scores with its light and simple, reliable and safe application. At the same time, it is extremely flexible and is ideally suited for every imaginable type of content and propellant thanks to the material properties of aluminium. Aluminium cans are also ideally suited for use with difficult and complicated contents. Where most other forms of packaging have long since quit the field is where aluminium aerosol cans show their true class.