Plastic Coating

Beverage cans made of aluminium or tinplate have a protective coating both inside and outside to ensure that the quality of the product is not affected.

The internal coating is applied with a spray gun. The can body and can end are also protected with an external coating. Coating application is extremely work and energy intensive, requiring special machines. 
Thermal after-treatment is also required for these so-called "wet systems" to keep the environmental impact to a minimum.

Intensive studies were therefore carried out to develop more economic and more environmentally friendly processes. One important aspect investigated was whether it is possible to produce beverage cans from pre-coated material. The studies concentrated on the material steel because the range of applications for steel is slightly more restricted than that for aluminium.
The most ecologically and environmentally efficient solution would be a plastic coating which is applied directly to the steel sheet. One significant advantage of this process would be the uniform distribution of the coating on the metal. 

In addition, this type of coating would not contain any problematic substances such as volatile organic compounds, badge, formaldehyde etc. The coating process would also contribute to quality enhancement, as it minimises the risk of corrosion, metal absorption and flavour impairment. 

All steel suppliers are participating in the development of this promising material. Beverage can production processes also need to be comprehensively adapted to handle this new material. Ball Packaging Europe has already carried out several trial runs in its laboratories and on a production line. Development is ongoing to enhance material and production processes.