Packages and closures for packaging

Endless recycling

Aluminium products are much appreciated in the packaging, food, cosmetic and industrial branches. This metal is light and easily processed, whereas products made from aluminium are relatively durable and practical.

Have you ever wondered how the famous food cans came to be? It might sound surprising, but the invention was inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte. He needed an effective and practical method for preserving food for his troops. In 1795 he announced a contest with a money prize, which was later claimed by Nicolas Appert. He became the “father of canning” who invented air-tight containers that to this day rule the food industry. First they were made from steel but later on manufacturers started using aluminium.
Soon cans were also used for storing paint. In 1927 aluminium packaging for perfumes were added a practical sprayer, whereas in 1949 Edward Seymour came up with an idea to spray paint directly from the metal bottles.

Soda cans were introduced to the market during the prohibition in the United States. In 1933 producers added new internal coatings that prevented aluminium migration. The coatings didn’t react with CO2 and blocked the metallic taste. It was a breakthrough innovation that initiated production of canned beer.

Today we don’t pay attention to cans. They are everywhere – cosmetics, paint, food, deodorants, feed for pets, shoe polish, commercial gadgets or the mentioned sodas and other drinks.
Aluminium cans with labels or imprints, practical and eco-friendly!
Aluminium used in the production of cans is not a completely pure chemical element. It has the so-called “technical purity” – it contains around 1% of impurities that penetrate it during the processing. However, it doesn’t affect the quality of the material.

One of the main advantages of the aluminium products is that they can be endlessly recycled.
Plus, the recycling doesn’t affect the material’s quality and the recovery process is quite simple:
Aluminium cans are first crushed. The next stage involves removing the impurities – first the smallest, then the largest. Later on the aluminium waste is sorted with a magnet. The aim is to separate pure aluminium. It is important to remove paint and any other coatings by burning it in the furnace and sieving it.  
Aluminium is then melted in a basin, induction or a crucible furnace.
The melted metal is then filtered and refined, which makes it even purer. Now the aluminium is poured into moulds, cooled and transported to factories that produce cans or other aluminium elements.

Recycling of all materials, including aluminium, starts at our homes!
Proper sorting is the very first stage of the recovery process. In addition, collecting aluminium waste might be a way to make some extra pocket money as it is happily accepted at scrap yards. You just have to collect a few bags and drop it over there. It is not only a money-saving solution, but also a way to make sure your aluminium will be recycled.


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