Steel in the Packaging Industry
Steel containers used for food preservation are highly effective at retaining vitamins and nutrients. Unlike common misconceptions, canned fruits and vegetables contain no chemical preservatives—instead, they are preserved through high-pressure processing that eliminates bacteria. Because steel packaging is an ambient storage medium, it requires no refrigeration throughout the supply chain, reducing energy use, lowering costs, and simplifying logistics.
Steel packaging provides a complete barrier against light, air, and water, making it one of the most tamper-resistant options available. By extending shelf life, it helps minimize food waste. Its high thermal conductivity also offers a practical advantage: canned beverages cool more quickly than those stored in plastic or glass. Today, steel is used to package more than 1,500 products, including food, drinks, household items, cosmetics, and even paints.
Magnetic Properties & Recycling
As a ferrous metal, steel is naturally magnetic—a unique benefit for packaging applications. Empty cans can be transported efficiently along magnetic conveying systems during filling, improving precision and reducing waste or spillage.
In recycling facilities, steel cans are easily separated from other materials using equipment such as cross-belt magnets or drum magnets. Moreover, steel is a permanent material, meaning it can be recycled endlessly without losing quality. Recycling just one steel can saves enough energy to wash a load of laundry, power a TV for an hour, or run a 10W LED bulb for a full day.
Environmental Benefits & Lightweight Design
While all packaging materials generate CO₂ during production, steel cans stand out as the most sustainable option thanks to their infinite recyclability. In some regions, steel packaging recycling rates exceed 90%, making it the most recycled packaging material in Europe. Recycled cans are melted in electric arc or basic oxygen furnaces to produce new steel, creating a closed-loop system that significantly cuts emissions.
Ongoing innovation has also reduced the weight of steel cans by about 33% over the last two decades. Lighter cans mean less raw material use, lower transport emissions, and reduced energy consumption during manufacturing. Most steel packaging is made from tinplate, a thin steel sheet coated with a tin layer applied via electroplating, which provides the necessary protection and performance.
Benefits of Using Steel in Packaging