Aerobal announces World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award winners
Aerobal, the international organisation of aluminium aerosol container manufacturers, recently held its competition for the world’s best and most innovative aluminium aerosol cans at the World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award 2021.
The organisation said it found that the innovative strength of the industry had not diminished, despite the challenging situation during the pandemic and the difficult market situation overall.
In the category of aluminium aerosol cans already on the market, the jury chose the cans manufactured by Trivium Packaging Argentina for Cocinero Fritolim Oliva and Clasico as the winner.
Cocinero Fritolim Oliva is an edible oil spray that aims to offer health-conscious consumers both quality and controlled portioning. The spray gives consumers who want to take in fewer calories more control over the distribution and application of the oil. The oil comes in three flavours: Clasico, Oliva and Butter. For each variant, an exemplary design concept highlights and emphasises the product’s iconic brand image.
Another key to the brand’s success is the use of sustainable materials. Cocinero uses infinitely recyclable aluminium cans with recyclate content.
The winners in the Prototype category were two aluminium cans – Save the Earth and The Matrix – intended for self-marketing purposes and manufactured by CCL Container from the USA.
The US manufacturer co-operated with Sun Chemical to develop and produce the attractive aluminium cans with novel spot varnish ink technology. CCL responded to strong interest from its clients for the new option this printing technology offers and their desire for new ways to design aluminium cans. The strong contrast in visual perception between the matt and glossy areas gives an outstanding presence on the shelf.
The special feature of this technology is that it no longer uses a traditional varnish in the conventional sense. Instead, it is integrated into the printing ink as an additive and then develops its function. Deformation of the can would be extremely difficult without a varnish – whether of the traditional type or as an additive in the printing ink.
The varnish also protects the cans from scratching, chipping of the printing ink, abrasions and other signs of wear. The successful appearance of these two award-winning prototypes gives an idea of the opportunities made possible by this technology.
In the Sustainability category, the aluminium can from Cien Deo, which is produced by German can manufacturer Tubex, came out on top. According to the manufacturer, the winning can is the first aluminium aerosol can printed with an eco-friendly and sustainable printing ink. The ink used is free of mineral, palm, soybean or coconut oils and thus contributes to protecting rainforests. Furthermore, no genetically modified organic substances are used and all binders are based on renewable sources. Additionally, the printing ink is not subject to mandatory labelling thanks to its natural ingredients.
In addition to the environmental performance of the printing ink used, the winning can also offers a range of other eco-friendly properties when it comes to sustainability. These include a patented alloy that leads to a further weight reduction of 6% compared to the can used previously. The use and processing of aluminium packaging from the Yellow Bag or Yellow Bin system allows the integration of 25% certified PCR material in the can. Finally, a water-based coating lacquer reduces the use of solvents by 60%.
“The issue of sustainability continues to play the central role in the aluminium aerosol can industry and, of course, in packaging in general,” said Aerobal’s secretary general, Gregor Spengler.
“It’s remarkable and satisfying to see that even in times of crisis, the efforts and investments of our member companies have not diminished at all when it comes to sustainable concepts. Looking at this year’s competition, it rather seems to be the case that our industry is once again stepping up its efforts to create eco-friendly and environmentally compatible packaging solutions.
“But that’s not all. The World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award 2021 has also produced impressive and ground-breaking ideas in printing, decoration and finishing that will open up additional opportunities for designers and marketing specialists and further boost the role of the aluminium aerosol can in global packaging markets.”