More growth for aluminium aerosol can shipments

Global shipments of aluminium aerosol cans rose 6.8% to about 6 billion units in 2022, according to figures from members of the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (Aerobal).

Strong shipments in the second half helped boost the first half rise of 5.5%.

The personal care segment was the best performer with year-on-year shipments up 42%. Deliveries of aerosol cans made for hairspray and shaving foam rose 17% and 14% respectively, while shipments for the pharmaceutical sector increased 13%.

Aerobal’s members reported 2022 growth in European Union (EU) member countries and the UK, where deliveries rose 10%. Shipments to the Americas were up 6%. Aerobal said that the two regions together account for more than 70% of its members’ business. Shipments to Asia and Australia increased 6.7% with the Middle East the only region to see a decline, of almost 4%.

Aerobal’s president Wan Tsang Lin said members had prospered despite the global energy crisis and the “logistics bottlenecks” impacting the industry. However, he warned of other worrying headwinds this year.

“The aluminium aerosol can industry is currently facing two major challenges,” Lin said. “First, a lack of adaptability of machinery for the production of innovative aerosol cans. In addition, the availability of technicians and skilled labour has become a crucial competitive factor.”

Lin said order books for 2023 looked good, but that supply chain disruption caused by the war in Ukraine, inflation and forecasts of recession could have an effect on consumer spending.

“The loss of purchasing power among consumers could ultimately have a negative impact on the fast-moving consumer goods markets and thus also on the personal care market.”

Manufacturers in Europe’s 27 member states and importers will also have to take on board EU-wide packaging regulations that aim to make the sector carbon neutral by 2050 and are part of the Union’s larger Green Deal initiative.

They will be required to use less packaging in their designs and boost the recyclability of the materials used. Here Lin believes Aerobal members have an advantage.

“The outstanding material properties of aluminium and the material’s optimal recyclability will contribute to resource-efficient packaging solutions that convincingly meet the new legal requirements,” he said.