Tata Steel Nederland unveils packaging steel line with TCCT technology

Tata Steel Nederland has commissioned a new production line for packaging steel. The company applies its Trivalent Chromium Coating Technology (TCCT) to produce packaging steel sustainably and comply with future legislation. 

Packaging steel has applications in canmaking and acts as a replacement for conventional tin-free solutions. Tata Steel Nederland says it is the exclusive developer of this innovation and holds the patent. The company also supplies TCCT technology to other steel producers.

Arne Hoogervorst, manager packaging at Tata Steel Nederland, says: “Our TCCT technology enables sustainable production of packaging steel and ensures compliance with future chemical-use legislation, namely the EU’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. This is not only good news for the environment but also for our employees, as it makes work safer.” 

“Combined with Protact (polymer-coated packaging steel), Tata Steel Nederland offers an eco-friendly solution that meets the strictest food safety standards and simplifies the customer’s production process: no extra lacquer layer is needed. This means lower costs, fewer chemicals, and a shorter supply chain. Together with our customers, we innovate for a more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly future.”

Food-safe and cost-saving

TCCT technology is designed for easy adoption by canmakers, with no changes required to the canmaking process.

“In the Netherlands, more than 95% of packaging steel is recycled into new steel — from food cans to aerosol cans. For canned food, packaging steel offers many benefits, such as long shelf life (even outside the refrigerator), reducing food waste,” says the company.

“Steel packaging is easy and inexpensive to separate from other waste, contributing to a circular economy. Steel cans are therefore the most recycled packaging material.”

The entire production process in the Netherlands takes place at one site, creating a simpler supply chain, according to the company. The TCCT-Protact combination is said to meet food safety standards. In addition, the solution delivers cost efficiencies, as TCCT-Protact eliminates the need for an additional lacquer layer at the customer.

Recently, Tata Steel Nederland commissioned a dry-forming can-maker at its R&D facilities. The machine is said to eliminate the need for emulsified water through its dry-forming process.

Last year, Tata Steel also signed a letter of intent with the government of the Netherlands and the province of North Holland to improve the environmental sustainability of the company’s IJmuiden facility. As part of the agreement, the Dutch government would invest €2 billion (US$2.4 billion) in Tata Steel.