Henkel launches low-carbon beverage can cleaner as recyclability demands propel aluminum

25 Apr 2023 --- Henkel has developed a low-temperature cleaner for aluminum beverage cans amid increasing industry and consumer demand for recyclable packaging. When used in traditional spray systems, the Bonderite C-IC 72000 series cleans at a lower temperature than existing applications, reducing natural gas use and thereby lowering carbon emissions. 

According to Henkel, results will vary from plant to plant based on their processes. However, during a recent trial, a customer reduced their natural gas use, contributing to a 38% reduction in carbon emissions. 

“There is strong demand from brand owners and consumers alike for recyclable packaging and packaging made from recycled materials, which are driving higher global demand for aluminum cans,” Emily Mullins, Henkel’s director for Market Strategy Packaging Surface Treatment for Henkel Metals, tells PackagingInsights. 

“Aluminum beverage cans are infinitely recyclable, meaning the metal can be recycled repeatedly with no loss of properties. Additionally, aluminum cans contain on average 65% recycled aluminum, which will only increase as more cans are recycled and returned into the aluminum supply chain.”

Mullins flags strong consumer demand for recycled and recyclable packaging. Advantages over conventional cleaners
Compared to conventional cleaners, which are said to typically operate around 60-degrees celsius, the Bonderite C-IC 72000 series cleaner requires a lower operating temperature of 43-degrees celsius. 

Mullins explains that the challenge for low-temperature can cleaning is to maintain the quality of the cleaning in the customer’s existing system by lowering the temperature without making any changes to the mechanics or processing time.

“In the past, lower cleaning temperatures with standard cleaners were often considered risky, as it was thought they would result in lower cleaning performance and higher foam levels. But with innovative formulations using new process chemicals, cleaning can be operated at a lower temperature without sacrificing cleaning quality or resulting in more foam,” she asserts.

“Our initial line tests show a 32% reduction in natural gas consumption at the plant from turning off one boiler. Additionally, a 5% to 20% reduction in water was achieved during recent trials,” adds Fabio Portelinha, technical customer service manager at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. 

Reduced wear and water consumption
Beyond reducing the carbon footprint, the lower temperature creates a more comfortable working environment for employees near the cleaning bath, explains Henkel. 

The lower bath temperature results in less evaporative losses and creates a less corrosive environment, which the company expects to extend the lifetime of the steel washer. As a result, both wear and water consumption are reduced – which in turn extends the service life of the cleaning system.

The challenge for low-temperature can cleaning is to maintain quality in the customer’s existing system. The Bonderite C-IC 72000 series product range will include traditional 2-pack systems with separate etchant additions. It will also be available in single-pack formulations with combined cleaner and etchant in various activity levels to suit market needs.

Aluminum cans’ consumer popularity 
Henkel’s low-temperature cleaner technology is already available in the Latin American region and will be introduced in all other regions worldwide during 2023.

Although aluminum can be infinitely recycled, it often goes unrecycled. We recently spoke to Adam Shalapin, Ball’s director of global sustainability, about the importance of recycling in the company’s results and future plans.

Meanwhile, Switzerland-based digital can printing company NOMOQ launched can printing in the UK to capitalize on the growing beverage industry, which is projected to reach over £8 billion (US$9.9 billion) in revenue in the country at the end of 2023. 

NOMOQ, which stands for “No Minimum Order Quantity,” stated that British people are set to become a nation of canned beverage consumers due to changing drinking habits and a desire for fully recyclable packaging. 

“We have lots of demand from our existing UK customers and new ones across all beverage types requesting can printing. We want to become the preferred supplier of high-quality digitally printed beverage cans and spearhead this awesome revolution,” Patrick Schweizer, CCO at NOMOQ, told PackagingInsights.

By Natalie Schwertheim