The first half of 2025 has been challenging for the aluminium aerosol can industry. According to the International Organisation of Aluminum Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL), global deliveries by its members fell by 1.7 per cent, reaching approximately 3.3 billion units, compared to the same period in 2024.
This marks a significant downturn compared to the same period in 2024, when global deliveries grew by 4.4 per cent, surpassing 3.4 billion units. The decline in 2025 is largely driven by weak demand in the cosmetics sector, especially in the deodorants and hairspray segments, which have traditionally accounted for the largest share of aluminium aerosol can deliveries.
Regional Performance: The Americas Faces Setbacks
The regional performance in 2025 paints a picture of significant volatility, particularly in the Americas. Deliveries to this region dropped by nearly 4 per cent, totalling 1.26 billion units. Despite the decline, the Americas remained the largest market for aluminium aerosol cans.
The drop in deliveries can be attributed to several factors, including US tariffs on aluminium cans and deteriorating consumer purchasing power in Brazil, which triggered a shift in consumer behaviour and prospects for recovery.
In Europe, deliveries increased slightly, rising from 1.19 billion to 1.21 billion units, showing a modest growth of around 2 per cent. Meanwhile, Asia/Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East all registered declines in deliveries compared to 2024, contributing to the global slowdown.
Contrastingly, 2024 witnessed robust growth across multiple regions:
- The Americas saw a remarkable 11 per cent increase in deliveries.
- Europe experienced a 5 per cent rise in deliveries.
- Asia/Oceania and the Middle East saw growths of 3 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.
- The only region to experience a decline was Africa, which faced a 3 per cent drop.
Demand drivers: Cosmetics vs. food sector growth
In 2025, the cosmetics sector, which had been a driving force in previous years, saw significant declines. Deodorants and hairsprays, in particular, faced losses in demand, which contributed heavily to the market's overall decline. However, the food sector continued to show growth, emerging as a crucial niche application for aluminium aerosol cans, offsetting some of the losses from cosmetics.
In 2024, the cosmetics sector was a major contributor to market growth, with deodorants and hairsprays seeing 7 per cent and 8 per cent growth, respectively. The pharmaceutical sector also experienced a modest 3 per cent increase in demand. The food sector, though smaller, posted an impressive 12 per cent growth, further bolstering the market's overall expansion.
Sustainability & regulatory pressures: A growing focus
Sustainability remains a key theme in both years, with growing emphasis on green aluminium, aluminium produced using renewable energy to reduce CO2 emissions.
In 2025, the Americas saw increasing sustainability requirements to match Europe's standards. This shift led to growing demand for aluminium cans made with high recycled content and low-carbon aluminium. At the same time, Europe is preparing for stricter regulations, notably the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which is expected to impose more demanding design-for-recycling requirements in the near future.
In 2024, the focus on sustainability was equally significant. There was a marked rise in demand for green aluminium and cans with high post-consumer recycled content. However, the supply of high-quality aluminium scrap remained a challenge, limiting the extent to which the industry could meet this demand.
The industry's move towards design-for-recycling in 2024 was viewed as crucial in simplifying recycling processes and minimising waste. AEROBAL highlighted that the European Union's draft packaging regulation would soon set new standards for recycling, with more specific criteria being developed by packaging associations.
Despite the challenges faced in 2025, the aluminium aerosol can industry remains resilient. While the market saw a downturn in the first half of the year, particularly due to the economic difficulties in the Americas and declining demand in the cosmetics sector, AEROBAL expects demand to stay consistent, with slight growth anticipated in the second half of 2025.
In contrast, the 2024 market outlook was more optimistic. While global economic instability and high inflation posed challenges, the industry managed to grow, driven by demand in the cosmetics sector and the rise of sustainability trends. AEROBAL remained cautiously optimistic about the medium-term outlook for aluminium aerosol cans in 2024, with continued growth expected despite the challenges.
