Written on: October 9, 2020 by SprayTM
The independent jury of the International Organization of Aluminum Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL)—comprised of renowned trade journalists from leading packaging magazines and other specialist media from around the world—awarded the World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award 2020 to cans produced by Turkish manufacturer ARYUM. The cans were designed and produced for a perfume marketer from Tunisia who wanted to launch its own deodorant brand. ARYUM was asked to develop a distinctive and appealing design for the 200mL cans for the exclusive Up deodorant line for women 
comprising four different fragrances.
A 360° embossing technique combined with an oriented printing technology was used to create the cans’ unique shape and look. According to AEROBAL, not only does the special 360° technology produce the impressive all-round shape, it also makes it possible to achieve 360° printing of the can in an impressive quality. As a result, the cans have vibrant, powerful and almost exploding colors while still appearing elegant, with finely coordinated shades with filigree patterns and gradations. The logo is located in an exposed position on the flatter surface of the can for brang recognition. Additionally, shaping the can around its complete circumference also offers protection against product counterfeiting and brand piracy.
For the first time this year, the international jury also chose a winner in the newly created category of “Sustainability.”
“Sustainability has long been a convincing argument when it comes to aluminium aerosol cans,” explained AEROBAL Secretary General Spengler. We wanted to send out a clear signal to underscore this yet again; we therefore created the new Sustainability category. Our industry is not resting on its laurels. Even in difficult times like these, it is investing considerable resources, creativity, innovative strength and commitment in developing even more sustainable and future-oriented packaging solutions—often in close cooperation with brand owners.”
The first winner in the AEROBAL competition’s new category was the aluminium aerosol can for the Rexona Recycled Refreshed 24-hour antiperspirant from Unilever. It was produced by the German manufacturer Tubex. At first glance, it looks like a conventional aluminium can, but it offers a whole host of innovative and forward-looking solutions to enhance sustainability.
The can is the result of a continuous optimization of alloys. It was produced using a new, patented alloy and contains 25% real post-consumer recyclate (PCR). Thanks to the new alloy and a barely discernible modification of the can’s shape, the can is now 14% lighter than its predecessor. A powder coating is used to protect the inside of the can. In addition, only 50% of the can’s internal surface is lacquered. The use of powder coating offers ecological benefits: it avoids CO2 when it is applied inside the can, and any overspray is reused, according to AEROBAL.
Reducing the wall thickness, however, made the can more susceptible to denting during packaging and transport. That is why an innovative and fully automatic packaging technology—“layer-wide packaging”—was specially developed for this new generation of cans. The cans are now placed on pallets instead of being packed in bundles as was previously the case. Besides better protection of the cans, the new process also brings considerable economic and, above all, ecological benefits. A pallet now accommodates 15% more cans and a truck can carry 15% more pallets. The storage space required is also reduced by 15%.
