Recap 2019: Aluminium cans remained the preferred beverage package; Construction sector saw significant collaboration

The packaging, electricals and construction sectors continued to support aluminium demand in 2019 as application of the white metal is extensively found in end-user industries because of its infinite recyclability and durability. The year witnessed numerous product launches, which had driven the aluminium demand. Firms switched from glass and steel to aluminium cans in order to bring environmentally-friendly beverages to consumers. According to research firm Harbor Intelligence, demand for aluminium can sheet will grow about 3% to 5% a year through 2025 as aluminium cans gain further market share against plastic. Also, Ball India projects the consumption of aluminium cans for storing beverages, food items and household products in India has potential to grow significantly from the present rate.

The construction and electrical sectors saw some developments from companies announcing acquisitions for brand strengthening to firms launching new aluminium capacitors and conductors.

Let’s look back at some of the prominent news covering the aluminium packaging, electrical and construction sectors.

Announcement of new products in aluminium cans

• Ball Corporation launched a pilot of infinitely recyclable aluminium cups in the U.S. to curb plastic waste. Ball developed the cup over the past several years for use at home and in other areas where plastic cups are common.
• Ardagh announced it would introduce a new slimline 187ml wine can in the first quarter of 2020. The fully-recyclable aluminium can is specially designed to present and protect wine and wine-based drinks.
• Volvic announced a new range of sparkling drink, L’mon. Lemon & Orange, Lemon & Lime and Lemon & Grapefruit flavours come in 330ml aluminium can.
• Senezhskaya launched the first flavoured water in Ball aluminium cans on the Russian market. The 25-centilitre slim cans are manufactured at Ball’s Naro-Fominsk plant.
• Yerbaé expanded its portfolio with the launch of new products are packaged in environmentally-friendly, highly-recycled aluminium beverage cans from Ardagh.
• Ožujsko partnered with Ball Corporation to introduce a collection of limited-edition cans.   Ožujsko’s new range utilizes Ball’s Thermochronic Ink and Dynamark technology on fully recyclable 500ml standard aluminium cans.
• Radnor Hills expanded its products portfolio with the launch of still and sparkling spring water in 330ml aluminium can. The company has collaborated with Ardagh Group to bring cans into its packaging portfolio.

 Aluminium cans replaces plastic bottles

• Coca-Cola is switching from plastic bottles to aluminium cans for its Dasani water brand. The new initiative is expected to help Coke meet its pledge to boost the use of recycled material by 2030. 
• PepsiCo announced plans to replace its Aquafina plastic water bottles with aluminium cans in the U.S.
• Vita Coco is turning to infinitely recyclable aluminium to launch its new premium packaged water brand. The concept for the new water brand known as Ever & Ever is driven by its parent company All Market’s partnership with Lonely Whale.
• Britvic announced new carbon emissions reduction targets to tackle climate change. The company planned to switch to aluminium cans to reduce carbon emissions.
• PATHWATER teamed up with Intuit to reduce single-use plastic waste. Intuit will now offer PATHWATER's purified water in reusable, recyclable aluminium bottles.
• Alcon switched from glass bottles to Ball aluminium cans for its craft beer range BRAUS.

ASI certifications

• Xiamen Xiashun Aluminium Foil Co., Ltd. has been certified against Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Performance Standard for responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium.
• Amcor operations in Singen, Germany have been certified against Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard. Amcor achieved ASI Performance Standard – Material Stewardship Certifications for its two facilities in France and one in Germany 
• ASI announced that four additional Amcor operations have been certified against its Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard. The certification includes four additional operations in France, Germany and Switzerland.
• TS B.V., a manufacturer of household packaging, joined Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) as a Production & Transformation member.

Capacitors and Conductors:

• TDK Corporation launched a new SMD series of robust hybrid polymer aluminium electrolytic capacitors. Aluminium electrolytic capacitors are available in 25 V DC / 330 µF and 35 V DC / 270 µF versions, with dimensions of 10 x 10.2 mm (d x l).
• Vishay Intertechnology extended the maximum voltage rating of the Vishay BCcomponents 500 PGP-ST series of aluminium screw-terminal capacitors to 500 V. The devices allow designers to re-use three-phase, 380 V designs in 480 V systems and upgrade solar inverter systems for 1000 V maximum input.
• Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and Facebook have announced the commercial launch of aluminium conductor cable for optical fiber submarine systems, after an extensive testing and qualification program to establish its suitability for ultra-long haul deep sea transmission systems.

Acquisitions and collaboration from construction industry

• LIXIL entered into an agreement with AluK, through LIXIL’s renowned brand TOSTEM, to cater to the windows and doors market in India.
• Alspec collaborated with Dulux to ensure clients get the very best they can, taking advantage of the latest trends in aluminium framing and powder coating.
• Aparna Enterprises Limited announced a joint venture with Hong Kong-based Craft Holding Ltd to manufacture and retail aluminium exterior products and solutions.
• Hydro acquired remaining 50 per cent of Technal Middle East (TME). Based in Bahrain, Technal Middle East supplies tailor-made aluminium building solutions in the Middle East.
• Hydro announced the acquisition of Gerstungen-based MBG Metallbeschichtung Gerstungen GmbH (MBG). With this acquisition, Hydro strengthens its position in the building systems segment.
• ClearVue Technologies Limited signed an OEM Manufacturing Agreement with Jiangsu YY Windows & Curtain Wall System Co., Ltd. Jiangsu YY Windows & Curtain Wall System will become an OEM manufacturer and seller for ClearVue products and components.

Aluminium air batteries

• Scientists from Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology and Slovenia’s National Institute of Chemistry have claimed to have created aluminium batteries with higher energy density.
• According to researcher Niklas Lindahl from the Department of Physics at Chalmers University of Technology, aluminium air batteries (AIBs), which is in an R&D phase now, will be at per with lithium-ion batteries in 10 to 15 years’ time.
• The Hosein Research Group at Syracuse University has developed a new solid electrolyte that can replace the liquid electrolyte in aluminium ion batteries to make them suitable for high-demand applications.

Other major highlights of the year

• The UK’s systems supplier Epwin Window Systems announced the joining of the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB). CAB’s mission is to promote the use of aluminium in building by being the recognised voice of the sector.
• Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) appealed to the government to cut goods and services tax (GST) on aluminium utensils. They urged the Finance Minister to review items placed under different tax slabs under GST as many of the products are overlapping, 
• Schüco has been certified against Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Performance Standard.

• Ardagh Group agreed to combine its good and speciality metal packaging business with Exal Corporation. They will together form a new metal packaging company Trivium Packaging, which will be one of the world’s largest metal packaging companies.
• SIG entered into a partnership with B-Better®, a start-up brand from Unilever’s Future Platform, to launch aseptic cartons with ASI-certified aluminium foil.
• Hindalco Industries, Ball Beverage Packaging (India) and Can-Pack India together announced the forming of a consortium called Aluminium Beverages Can Association of India (ABCAI) in order to promote the use of aluminium cans for beverage packaging in India.
• Showa Aluminum Can Corporation (SAC) decided on starting its new aluminium can plant in Vietnam. This will be its third production base aimed at expanding its operations in Vietnam
• ARD Aluminium (Pvt) Ltd will construct a US$ 1.7 million aluminium food containers manufacturing facility at Mirigama Economic Processing Zone (EPZ) in Sri Lanka.
• CANPACK will invest in a new aluminium beverage can factory in the Czech Republic to increase the production capacity of aluminium beverage cans.
• CANPACK opened new aluminium beverage can facility in Tocancipa, Colombia.
• Brewers and other canned drink makers in the U.S. are pushing the U.S. government to take a stand in determining aluminium price as the key benchmark for aluminium has not dropped much despite the lifting of tariffs.