NOMOQ expands into UK as drinking habits change and circularity demand rises

21 Mar 2023 --- Switzerland-based digital can printing company NOMOQ is launching in the UK to capitalize on the growing beverage industry, which is projected to reach over £8 billion (US$9.8 million) in revenue in the UK at the end of 2023.

NOMOQ, which stands for “No Minimum Order Quantity,” states 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. 

The digital can printer’s cans are fully recyclable and digitally printed, offering “low production costs and quick turnaround for creative designs for all beverage brands.”

“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. We want to spearhead this awesome revolution,” Patrick Schweizer, CCO at NOMOQ, tells PackagingInsights. 

The expansion follows the news that Ardagh Group has completed the acquisition of a majority share in NOMOQ for an initial consideration of €15 million (US$16 million). 

British canning disruption
Last week, NOMOQ revealed the cans it created for the UK-based beer company, Brulo. From this, Brulo became the manufacturer’s first UK customer. 

“Our beer is for the modern world; therefore, it needed a cutting-edge, high-quality can. Design plays a key role in the experience of craft beer and that’s no different for us just because our beers are non-alcoholic,” says James Brown, co-founder of Brulo. 

NOMOQ prints UK beer company Brulo’s most recent range.Brown continues that NOMOQ’s quality and creativity aligned with Brulo’s brand values and was a driving factor to solidify the collaboration. Brulo plans to continue to develop its can range develops with NOMOQ. 

NOMOQ’s new UK site will be recruiting for 30 roles across machine operation, graphic design, administration and logistics. The UK hub plans to open in the West Midlands in the summer of 2023. 

“Following large demand for fully recyclable, lightweight and shatterproof cans from UK brands, coupled with a diverse and surging national craft beverage culture, the UK was quickly identified as an area for growth,” adds Peter Stein, the CEO of NOMOQ.

Ardagh acquisition
Earlier this month, Ardagh Metal Packaging initiated acquiring a significant share in NOMOQ. A factor of the acquisition came with €10 million (US$10.7 million) payable in 2024, subject to NOMOQ achieving certain milestones. 

“We are proud to be a partner of Ardagh, and together, we ensure proprietary processes for digital can printing which leads to the highest quality, especially for a bit bigger production lines,” explains Schweizer.

NOMOQ’s full-color digital can printing is available in 250 mL slim, 330 mL sleek and 330 mL, 440 mL and 500 mL standard sizes in matte, gloss, selective gloss and metallic finishes.  

“We’re excited to provide beverage producers [in the UK] access to high-quality cans, digitally printed with millions of colors and shades with no minimum order quantity, which supports tight cash flows or storage limitations,” Schweizer concludes. 

By Sabine Waldeck