Ball takes aerosol cans 360° with innovative custom shaping technology

25 Jan 2019 --- Aluminum aerosol packaging innovator Ball is to unveil its latest can technology – 360° degree custom shaping – at the ADF&PCD exhibition in Paris on January 30-31. Ball says that its new technology brings another dimension to can contouring, using a process that allows custom shaping, symmetrically or asymmetrically, up to the full circumference of the can, ultimately benefiting both brand owners and end consumers.

Ball paired its graphics expertise with innovative shaping to produce a can that is visually engaging from every angle. 360° degree custom shaping offers brands a new advantage, delivering an aerosol package that communicates their story, stands out on the shelf and entices consumers to examine the product more closely.

The true value of the 360° technology is found where graphics and embossing intersect, Ball explains. Artwork oriented to the recessed area complements the shaping and allows for dynamic detail. For brands that embrace a clean and simple aesthetic, this new dimension can add “drama without clutter.”

“360° brings can design to the next level, as varied shaping is available around the entire circumference of the can,” says Jason Galley, Global Innovations Director at Ball. “The recessed area goes beyond visual engagement. It also provides ergonomic benefits to the customer. The shaped area can be oriented in a way that provides the consumer with grip, a feature that comes in handy with products where slippage is a usability concern."

Aluminum aerosol cans provide an ideal packaging format for personal care and household products, protecting the content during transit while remaining lightweight. In addition, aluminum aerosol packaging has a unique sustainability profile and many advantages when compared with other packaging materials, such as plastic. When an aluminum aerosol package is empty, the materials are collected and can be recycled multiple times without loss of quality, making aluminum cans an effective recycling choice.

“Aluminum cans are the most sustainable, convenient and versatile container on the market today,” Matt Meenan, Senior Director of Public Affairs at The Aluminum Association, US, tells PackagingInsights. “They are by far the most recycled beverage container, with recycling rates greatly exceeding glass or plastic.”

“The high value of aluminum means that cans effectively subsidize the recycling of lower value materials, making municipal recycling programs possible. And closed-loop recycling means that aluminum cans contain 70 percent recycled content, more than three times the amount of glass or plastic bottles. Making a can from recycled aluminum saves 92 percent of the energy required to make a new can,” Meenan explains.