What Types of Products Commonly Use Metal Packaging?

For decades, when it came to packaging, there was one material that stood head and shoulders above the rest, and that was plastic.

During the 1970s, plastic packaging really took over and became the go-to packaging material of choice for virtually every industry imaginable. Not only was plastic strong, lightweight, and durable, but more importantly, from a business standpoint at least, it was cheaper to make and purchase.

Like a lot of things however, as time ticked by and more research was carried out, plastic packaging was found to not be as beneficial as once thought. In fact, it has been linked with a number of environmental and health risks. As a result of this, when it comes to packaging, businesses have been frantically searching for sustainable alternatives such as aluminum and other metals.

In recent decades, metal has become the gold-standard when it comes to packaging, and for very good reasons. Materials such as aluminum are sustainable, eco-friendly, safe, and affordable, making them appealing to businesses and consumers alike.

But what types of products commonly use metal packaging? Let’s find out, shall we?

Cosmetics

In recent years, we’ve noted a distinct increase in the amount of cosmetics manufacturers and suppliers using metallic packaging for their products.

Metal packaging such as aluminum is now considered the packaging material of choice for the vast majority of cosmetics companies out there, and there are plenty of reasons for why that is.

To begin with, metallic packaging provides aesthetic appeal and helps make beauty and cosmetic products appear luxurious and upmarket. Metal tins, pouches, closers, lids, caps, and bottles help give products more of a premium look and finish, whereas plastic often comes across as cheap.

As well as the overall aesthetics of the products, metal packaging also helps to provide protec tion for the products housed within. Metal packaging not only shields against sunlight, moisture, dirt, bacteria, and debris, but it can also prevent oxidation and preserve the longevity and integrity of the cosmetics.

Sustainability is also a huge factor. Aluminum packaging for example, is hugely sustainable as it can be recycled indefinitely and requires far less energy to do so. It is also not harmful to the environment, unlike plastic.

Food and Beverages

When we think of metallic packaging, there’s arguably one industry that immediately springs to mind and that is the food and drinks industry.

From cans of beer and soda to oven-ready convenience meals, metallic packaging has become synonymous with a number of food and drinks staples over the decades. In particular, steel and aluminum are especially popular, for many reasons.

Thanks to their air-tight seals, and the fact that they help protect against both sunlight and moisture, aluminum and steel cans help to preserve food and drink and keep it fresh for months, if not years, thereby greatly extending the shelf lives.

Metallic oven-ready aluminum trays are also ideal for ready meals as they’re strong and durable, and can withstand extreme temperatures.

Again, as metal, especially aluminum, is so highly recyclable this makes it ideal for companies and consumers looking to be more environmentally conscious.

Pharmaceuticals

Because of the fact that pharmaceutical products must adhere to stringent health and safety rules, laws, regulations, and guidelines, metal packaging offers a wide range of advantages over other packaging materials such as plastic.

Metal packaging is used for storing drugs, medicines, supplements, medical equipment, and medications due largely to the fact that it provides superior protective and preservation qualities.

Many drugs, supplements, and pharmaceuticals in general must be stored in cool, dry, dark environments. This not only helps to prevent moisture from getting inside, but it helps to prevent oxidation from occurring or bacteria from getting in and contaminating the products within.

Metallic packaging such as aluminum pouches provides barrier protection while also assisting with sterilization. Some pharmaceuticals, for example, undergo heat-treatment while in their packaging to ensure that they’re sterile. Because metal can withstand extreme temperatures, this makes it the perfect packaging choice.

Pet Food

Finally, last but by no means least, we have pet food.

Much like with beverage cans, aluminum is the metal of choice for pet food manufacturers all over the globe. While there are many reasons for this, primarily it comes down to the fact that aluminum is so effective when it comes to preserving food and drink. This means that it helps ensure the food maintains its nutritional content, as well as its freshness and great taste.

Not only do aluminum pouches and trays help to preserve the pet food, they’re also study and durable so can withstand a large amount of punishment during transportation.