Written on: September 3, 2023 by SprayTM
AEROBAL, the International Organization of Aluminum Aerosol Container Manufacturers, has published the results of its competition for the best and most innovative aluminum aerosol cans in the world. Experts from world-renowned magazines in the packaging and aerosol industry selected the winners of the World Aluminum Aerosol Can Award 2023.
The jury chose the aluminum aerosol cans of Nivea’s Pearl & Beauty antiperspirant, produced by the German can manufacturer Tubex, as the winner in the category “Cans Already On The Market.” At first glance, it captivates with its fascinating design with an unusual and eye-catching color scheme. The dark aubergine color is translucent, so that the finely brushed aluminum shimmers through and gives the whole can a special, sparkling effect. The focal point of the design, however, is the pearl, which is printed in the finest gradients. For these color gradients, the copy-dot technique was used to create the special shine of the pearl. The challenge here is to apply exactly the right amount of color to the dark background. This ensures that the lighter color is not contaminated with the darker color and that the fine details of the design remain visible and show up well. This artwork technique is used to highlight design elements. The possibilities it opens up are demonstrated by the example of the winning can. The pearl in its brilliance becomes a visual highlight and is a real eye-catcher. Furthermore, the design concept of the cans convinces with an interplay of color, shape and elegant lines.
The winner in the category “Prototype” was the “smart sustainable aerosol can” produced by Nussbaum in Switzerland. It was created in cooperation with the Italian coating manufacturer Salchi Metalcoat. It combines sustainability and functionality without compromising on performance, safety and durability. The can body is manufactured from 100% recycled aluminum, sourced from used beverage can waste without the addition of virgin or post-industrial recycled material. The patented Nucan-PCR alloy is certified according to DIN EN ISO 14021, which ensures transparency and traceability of the value chain from the used beverage can to the finished Nucan-PCR can. This can-to-can upcycling concept saves 96% CO2, according to Nussbaum. The clear and white basecoat, as well as the clear overprint varnish on the cans, are bio-based polyester coatings from Salchi’s BIOMOCO line. The name stands for BIOsustainable MOdern COatings and sums up the company’s portfolio of coatings made from castor oil and waste cooking oil, partially replacing conventional fossil materials. The coatings convince with excellent mechanical properties, very good elasticity, low VOC content, and they are hot water bath resistant. The bio content of the solids is more than 40%. Finally, the inner coating of the cans is also innovative: The non-BPA epoxy gold lacquer combines the compatibility properties of epoxy coatings with the advantage of a bisphenol A-free lacquer solution.
In the category “Sustainability,” first place was awarded twice. Firstly, the German manufacturer Linhardt was awarded for its cans for Lornamead CD deodorants. The 150 mL aerosol cans are made of 17% lighter slugs and consist of an alloy with 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum and 0.3% virgin manganese. In line with the sustainability principle of avoiding packaging as much as possible, the primary goal of this packaging project was to minimize material use while meeting the stability requirements of a deodorant aerosol can. The second objective of the project was to cut the carbon footprint of the can by using post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminum. As a result, this can saves 296.5 tonnes of CO2 per million cans produced. Unlike most PCR slugs, the slugs used by Linhardt are produced directly from molten aluminum scrap without an energy-consuming second melting process. For this reason, the results of the life cycle assessment show that these PCR slugs have a very low carbon footprint of 1.1 kg CO2e/kg. This allows for savings of 92% compared to virgin slugs (13.1 kg CO2e/kg). In addition, the lower weight also saves on transport emissions. The supply chain is traceable according to ISO 22095:2020. High security of supply is ensured by high material availability and secured quantities. These 150 ml CD deodorant aerosol cans produced by Linhardt thus represent an excellent combination of material savings and recyclate use.
The jury also voted the aluminum aerosol can produced by Tubex Germany for Nivea’s styling mousse into first place in the highly competitive “Sustainability” category. This can demonstrates that a closed-loop concept is also feasible for aluminum monobloc cans: the patented alloy Neucan 3.1 combines the advantages of a significant weight reduction and a possible integration of real PCR. This can is made with 50% real-PCR and is printed with natural colors for design and decoration. The use of PURe (organic printing inks)—in addition to all the other known advantages of this natural printing ink used for the first time—further optimizes the holistic approach. The decisive innovation, however, lies in the recycling process of the material used in this can as real-PCR. Not only is recycled material used, but the manufacturer has also thought about where exactly the recycled material comes from and how the recycled material was processed to bring it back into the cycle. Therefore, the advantages of the can lie not only in the use of post-consumer recycling (PCR) material, but also in a particularly energy-efficient recycling process. Incidentally, the winning can from Tubex impressively proves that efficient sustainability and excellent looks do not have to be opposites. The successful design and the unique look of the aluminum give the award-winning aerosol can a fantastic appearance.
AEROBAL Secretary General Gregor Spengler was completely satisfied with the evaluation of this year’s competition for the world’s best aluminum aerosol cans.
“The fact that, in addition to excellent designs, the focus was once again on sustainability underlines its immense importance in the packaging sector,” Spengler said.
“That makes me very confident for the future because aluminum aerosol cans not only have just one ace up their sleeve compared to other packaging materials due to their numerous positive properties of the metal in terms of sustainability,” he added.
