Aluminium aerosol cans – the success story continues

The booming demand for aluminium aerosol cans worldwide continued in 2010. Production rose by almost 11 per cent and broke through the 6-billion-can barrier. After taking a short breather in 2009, especially demand in Europe was very favourable recording a rise of 13 per cent. Shipments to South America also showed double-digit growth, while growth rates in Asia, which had been one of the driving forces for growth in 2009, were in single figures.

The global demand for aluminium aerosol cans has being growing continually for several years. Since 2006, the year in which the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL) was founded, demand worldwide has increased on average by about eight per cent a year.

This sustained growth is mainly attributable to the dynamic growth in demand in the cosmetics market. Especially in the last few years attractively shaped and embossed aluminium aerosol cans with photorealistic printed motifs which ensure a high recognition value and optimum brand promotion have become well established on shop shelves.

About 80 per cent of total production in 2010 was for the cosmetics market, with deodorants in particular acting as the ‘propellant’ for impressive market growth. In the years ahead, the manufacturers of aluminium aerosol cans see further potential for growth not only in the cosmetics sector but also in other fields like the pharma and food industries, where the aerosol can has only played a minor role as a packaging material up till now.

Also the year 2011 has got off to a flying start. “There was a further marked increase in order income in the first two months so that production capacity utilisation will be very satisfactory until summer,” says AEROBAL President Florian Nussbaum. “The sharp increases in the prices of raw materials such as printing inks and lacquers, which are squeezing margins, are the sector’s only downside. Despite this, the industry is looking forward to 2011 with a great deal of confidence.”