Guest Blog: A stronger future for metal packaging

Last month, the UK government unveiled a new ten-year Industrial Strategy to support manufacturing, cut energy costs, and drive innovation. This plan impacts metal packaging – especially aluminium and steel – vital to the UK’s manufacturing ecosystem, jobs, and circularity goals.

Nadine Bloxsome, CEO of the Aluminium Federation and driving force behind the new UK Aluminium Alliance, told CanTech International, “There’s a real opportunity for aluminium packaging producers to align with government funding streams, particularly through programmes like the IETF and Transforming Foundation Industries.” Much of this support comes from UK-wide initiatives offering financial and technical help for businesses investing in cleaner energy, circular economy systems, and material efficiency innovations.

Businesses already focusing on energy efficiency, high-quality scrap use, and secondary aluminium processing are “well-placed to benefit,” she says. ALFED is also working to ensure that “funding mechanisms reflect the commercial and technical realities of aluminium packaging.”

But decarbonisation is only part of the challenge. Building a fully circular aluminium economy is central to the UK Aluminium Alliance’s mission, with packaging playing a vital role. “Aluminium is endlessly recyclable, but to make that count, we need the right infrastructure to capture and reprocess it efficiently within the UK,” Bloxsome explains. The Alliance is mapping material flows to identify where valuable post-consumer scrap – such as used beverage cans – is lost or under-utilised.

“One of our priorities is to support the development of domestic recycling capacity with better sorting, traceability and closed-loop reuse in mind,” she adds, aiming to align aluminium with emerging circular economy standards and policies.

However, policy and trade hurdles persist. “Post-Brexit regulatory divergence remains a sticking point – particularly around Rules of Origin and product standards,” Bloxsome notes. Trade friction with the US also threaten to hinder progress “UK aluminium exports are still subject to Section 232 tariffs, which puts us at a disadvantage despite strong demand from American buyers.” She stresses the need for the UK’s incoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to align with the EU’s to avoid “market fragmentation and additional red tape.” For the Industrial Strategy to succeed, it must be underpinned by “coherent trade policy and clear investment signals.”

The Industrial Strategy also has major implications for steel can making. Jason Galley, CEO of MPMA, shared his perspective on how it could shape the competitiveness, decarbonisation, and circularity of UK-sourced steel in packaging.

While steel packaging isn’t explicitly mentioned, it falls within the wider steel industry, which the Industrial Strategy recognises as “foundational to UK infrastructure and economic growth,” Galley told CanTech International. The strategy’s focus on improving energy access and supporting domestic supply chains could boost competitiveness. Galley calls the plan “a vote of confidence for aluminium and steel packaging,” highlighting “substantial investment in electric arc furnace steelmaking in Port Talbot,” including packaging-grade steel.

He explains that “prioritising the roll-out of renewable energy signals a strong commitment to cutting manufacturing’s carbon footprint – transitioning manufacturing to renewable electricity is among the most effective paths to achieving Net Zero goals and can have a decisive impact on competitiveness.” He argues that ensuring both steel and aluminium benefit equally from these initiatives is vital to securing the long-term competitiveness of the UK’s metal packaging sector.

Galley also noted that the Industrial Strategy “directly acknowledges there’s no ready alternative to steel across a huge range of products,” showing why UK steel sourcing is essential. This focus on local supply supports resilience in industrial value chains and creates new opportunities to boost UK-sourced steel in can making.

For metal packaging to thrive in a low-carbon, resilient economy, policies must align with industry needs, enabling aluminium and steel to drive UK manufacturing – cleaner and stronger.

• Lily Blackmore (She/her), Bell Publishing editorial assistant
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