300ml 10oz custom logo cosmetic packaging empty metal aluminum shampoo lotion container spray bottle

Aluminum's ability to form any shape and its protective qualities have made it the most versatile packaging material in the world. In addition, a key benefit is that aluminum foil, aluminum cans, and other aluminum packaging materials can be fully recycled and reused an infinite number of times.

Here are six reasons why aluminum is the ideal material for packaging.

1. Availability

Aluminum is the most common metal and the third most common material found in the Earth’s crust. This means that there is an abundant supply of aluminum to be mined for industrial uses, including food packaging, confectionery, or home care products. Approximately 860,000 tons of aluminum are produced annually in Europe.

2. Longevity

Aluminum packaging can maintain its integrity for long periods of time, even with no maintenance. It is also corrosion-resistant, which further contributes to its longevity. This makes aluminum an ideal material for food packaging, as it will protect a product for the duration of its shelf life without the risk of becoming degraded, which would compromise the barrier between the product and outside environmental influences.

3. Environmental Sustainability

Aluminum can be endlessly recycled, and its recycling process provides a significant amount of energy savings compared to other materials, consuming only five percent of its primary production energy. This saves an enormous amount of energy and factory emissions, making aluminum a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly choice for food packaging material.

4. Versatility

Aluminum is lightweight and has a low melting point, while at the same time, being very ductile and easy to mold. This gives aluminum packaging an advantage from a marketing perspective. It can be easily customized, due to the flexibility of the material, with creative shapes, embossing and printing for brand identification and consumer appeal. This makes it a popular choice for processed food containers, dairy products, and even pet food products.

5. High Degree of Barrier Protection

Aluminum provides a complete barrier against moisture, light, and oxygen, even as a very thin foil. This preserves the quality, safety, and aroma of food products that are packaged within it while requiring very little material. Foods packaged with aluminum are safe from bacterial contamination, oxidation, as well as moisture, and light, which can compromise product integrity.

6. Lightweight

Aluminum is a lightweight material, which reduces transportation costs, as more products are able to be loaded onto vehicles compared to those packaged with heavier materials. Aluminum can also protect the integrity of food products at very thin gauges, which further decreases the weight of the packaging material. For example, 1.5g of aluminum foil can protect one litre of milk for several months, providing barrier protection with a minimal increase in the weight of the product.