Rexam cans first sterilised dairy products

Rexam Beverage Can Europe & Asia is now able to successfully can products containing milk, a packaging breakthrough achieved through working in close collaboration with its key suppliers and customers. Traditionally, products containing milk could not be packaged in aluminium cans, as the decorative inks and varnishes used on cans were unable to withstand the high temperatures applied during the sterilisation process.

Rexam Beverage Can Europe & Asia is now able to successfully can products containing milk, a packaging breakthrough achieved through working in close collaboration with its key suppliers and customers. Traditionally, products containing milk could not be packaged in aluminium cans, as the decorative inks and varnishes used on cans were unable to withstand the high temperatures applied during the sterilisation process. This problem has now been solved with a range of newly developed coatings. “We have worked closely with our suppliers to develop special inks and varnishes that allow the aluminium beverage can to withstand temperatures of up to 122 degrees,” explains Ann Bonner, New Product Development Manager at Rexam Beverage Can. “These developments have redefined the boundaries of canning, resulting in increased opportunity for brand owners and can manufacturers alike.” A recent example of this packaging breakthrough is Cocio Ice Coffee, a chilled coffee drink containing milk, which is packaged in 250ml slim-line cans produced by Rexam Beverage Can’s plant in Recklinghausen. The coffee-coloured cans display bold graphics along with the Cocio slogan, "Have a nice coffee!" Without having to compromise on design or decorative techniques, Rexam’s resulting package conveys a strong brand identity and powerful shelf impact for Cocio. Commenting on the success of the new packaging, Lars Steen Pedersen, Sales and Marketing Manager of Cocio said, "There is increasing focus on ice coffee and related products, and I strongly believe that the can will become an important package in this product segment in the future.” And Rexam agrees. Because the can is light to handle, convenient and chills quickly, it’s an ideal packaging option for iced coffee and milk related products. Rexam’s Fredrik Hellner, Nordic Sales Manager responsible for the Cocio account comments, "We foresee the can as being a standard package for chocolate and coffee drinks within 3-4 years. It also holds potential for sterilised juices and fruit drinks." Hellner continues, "Packaging variety in the increasingly popular coffee market, as well as traditional segments like the chocolate milk market, enables customers to revitalise these markets by reaching new consumers with a new package, as well as reaching their traditional regular users through new sales channels." The can is filled by Cocio Chokolademaelk, Esbjerg, Denmark, and was launched throughout The Netherlands to much success. The company has a brand new filling line for cans, which is one of the few in Europe to include an autoclave for sterilising dairy products. Now that the mould has been broken, the canning of sterilised products is a packaging trend set to continue, whilst providing further branding and marketing opportunities throughout the drinks industry.