Global deliveries of aluminum aerosol cans surge amid personal care product demand

04 Sep 2023 --- The International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL) reports that global shipments by its members increased by 6.6% to just over 3.2 billion units in the first half of 2023. 

The market growth is mainly due to buoyant demand from the volume-dominant areas of deodorants, hairspray and hair mousses, which each grew by around 8% compared to the same period last year.

Deliveries to the market for shaving foams were extremely satisfactory, even increasing in the mid-double-digit range. 

In contrast, demand from the food and household products sectors, which are less important in terms of volume, declined by 2.5% and 12.5%, respectively. Demand from the pharmaceutical sector also developed positively, growing by almost 5%.

Demand for aerosol cans remains high despite high inflation and labor costs, according to AEROBAL.Economic conditions and labor shortages 
Market growth was driven in particular by deliveries to the 27 EU member states including the UK and to South and North America, which rose by a good 11% and 6% respectively. Demand from Asia, Australia and Africa stagnated, while deliveries to the Middle East declined by around 8%.

However, the weakening global economy, persistently high inflation and labor shortages are dampening the mood in the aluminum aerosol can industry, even though demand for aerosol cans is currently still satisfactory.

“In particular, ongoing inflation is causing uncertainty among both our member companies and consumers,” says Gregor Spengler, AEROBAL secretary general.

“Companies are facing higher interest rates and investment costs, and consumers are suffering from further loss of purchasing power. Whether these developments will impact the aerosol can industry with full force remains to be seen.”

Spengler says he hopes that the level of investment in the industry will remain high to further expand competitiveness. “Moreover, demand for fast-moving consumer goods such as aerosol cans has in the past been able to largely decouple itself from negative economic cycles.”

“We hope that this will continue in the second half of 2023.”

Sustainability remains top of agenda 
The topic of sustainability continues to be at the center of interest throughout the industry and among customers in order to realize the lowest possible CO2 footprint of the packaging. 

Newly spearheaded initiatives led by packaging industry giants this year are targeting this industry shift. Henkel, for instance, announced last month its participation in the Alupro-led UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative, which aims to increase aerosol recycling rates up to 50% by 2030. 

The demand for aluminum cans with the highest possible proportion of post-consumer recycled material is “lively,” according to AEROBAL.

However, the coalition reports that the global availability of high-quality aluminum scrap needed for the technically demanding production of aluminum aerosol cans is limited. 

Another key task is consistent design for recycling to ensure that aluminum aerosol cans are successfully and safely returned to the material recycling loop with a minimum of material input and packaging complexity.

“The manufacturers of aluminum aerosol cans are rising to this challenge and are continuously working together with their partners in the supply chain on innovative and even more sustainable can concepts,” concludes Spengler.

Edited by Benjamin Ferrer