Tin can. Aluminum can. Steel can. Plastic can.
Say what? Plastic can? Why not? Plastic cans are compatible with standard metal canning manufacturing systems and offer several significant advantages. Namely:
No need for overriding pressure
Plastic cans are capable of being double-seamed and sterilized in traditional retort systems without any overriding pressure.
No need to buy new equipment
Food manufacturers can simply retrofit their existing equipment, making any transition to plastic cans efficient and affordable. Even better, plastic cans can be run at similar speeds as metal cans.
Consumers will love plastic cans!
Why? Because plastic cans are microwaveable, re-closable, dent-free, lighter weight and easily and completely recyclable.
According to the Freedonia Group, an industry market research firm, demand for rigid plastic food containers such as plastic cans will leap past demand for glass, metal, and paperboard alternatives. Why? Continuing improvements in plastics-processing technology, including advances in co-extrusion techniques that provide oxygen barrier systems, heat resistance and other performance metrics, have made plastic food containers much more attractive to food manufacturers.
Plastic cans can (no pun intended!) use the same types of can ends, same filling equipment, same seaming equipment, and the same retorting and cooling equipment as metal cans.
So the next time you reach into the cupboard for a can of soup or green beans, you may be surprised to find your hand lifting a container that’s much lighter than you’re accustomed to. And if you don’t want to each the whole thing, you will love being able to reseal and sock away that plastic can in the fridge.
When trash day comes around, you will be proud to see your plastic recycling bin full of plastic cans. After all, a green food container like a plastic can is not only consumer-friendly, it’s good for the entire planet.
So CAN you dig a plastic can now?