Aluminum aerosol can production hits record level in 2018

Written on: February 27, 2019 by SprayTM

AEROBAL members produce over 6 billion…

According to the International Organization of Aluminum Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL), approximately 8.14 billion aluminum aerosol cans were manufactured around the globe in 2018. Not only was the 8-billion-can mark exceeded for the second year in a row, it was also an improvement over 2017’s record result. Aluminum has a market share of about 50%, which means every second aerosol can manufactured in the world is made from aluminum, said AEROBAL.

The 26 member companies of AEROBAL alone (representing about three quarters of all aluminum aerosol cans produced globally) reported total production of just over 6 billion cans in 2018. It was the first time that the AEROBAL companies have crossed the 6-billion-can threshold and represents growth of 2.2% compared with the previous year.

According to AEROBAL, almost 84% of total production in 2018 was in the personal care sector. Deodorant and perfume accounted for 57%. Hair spray (about 9%) and hair mousse (about 6%) also accounted for larger shares. Other sectors of particular importance included household goods (7%) and pharmaceuticals (6%).

Aluminum aerosol cans

The trend in Europe and North America was stable at a high level, with only minor changes. In contrast, the emerging markets in Central and South America and the Asia-Pacific region showed above-average potential for the future with solid single-digit growth. However, the largest growth leap, albeit from a relatively low level, was made in the Middle East, which saw double-digit rates of growth.

AEROBAL President Leopold Werdich expects demand to return to normal in 2019.

“After the growth records of recent years, our industry will be able to take a breather this year, so that delivery times should also return to more normal levels,” he said.

“Increasing demand for personal care products, such as shower and shaving foams, sunscreens and dry shampoos, will bolster market development in the coming months. In addition, pharmaceutical clients are showing growing interest in aluminum aerosol cans. They are increasingly appreciating the benefits of this packaging solution—the high level of security, its simple and convenient handling and the hygienic and precise application of the active ingredients,” explained Werdich.

AEROBAL Secretary General Gregor Spengler stated, “Aluminum aerosol can manufacturers are currently discussing the use of recycled material in the manufacture of cans with their suppliers and customers. In this context, economic, logistical, environmental and security-related issues must be considered and carefully balanced against the background of limited scrap availability.”

AEROBAL noted that even ambitious sustainability goals can be achieved using aluminum packaging, as can manufacturers, in close cooperation with their customers, have developed innovative alloys that enable the weight of aluminum cans to be significantly reduced even further.