Biopin-EOE

Soudronic, a global leader in can‑making equipment, has unveiled GreenPeel, an innovative three‑piece can solution designed for the food and pet food markets. The technology reduces the carbon footprint by up to 7% and is fully recyclable, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional welded cans.     The core breakthrough of GreenPeel is its weld‑seam‑free sealing technology. Traditional three‑piece cans require a welded side seam, which creates a potential weak point for oxidation and material contamination. GreenPeel eliminates the weld entirely, replacing it with a direct sealing method. The result is a completely smooth inner wall with no edges, preventing exposed cut‑edges from oxidizing and allowing food to slide out cleanly.     Another key innovation is the bottom‑side filling process. In GreenPeel, the pre‑formed bottom is cut off and used as the lid, while filling takes place from the bottom side. This change improves process stability and airtightness during downstream filling operations, reducing product waste and increasing line efficiency for food and pet food packers.     The system also simplifies material management. Both the can body and the bottom are made from the same tinplate and produced on the same line. This uniformity reduces inventory complexity and supports brand owners in meeting their ESG targets while lowering overall production costs.     Soudronic says GreenPeel is a direct response to the food industry’s demand for packaging that combines performance with lower environmental impact. With no weld seam, higher recyclability, and a 7% lower carbon footprint, the solution is already generating interest among major European food brands and pet food manufacturers.  

Aluminium Deutschland, the German aluminium industry association, has issued a sharp assessment warning that the sector is facing a severe structural crisis driven by soaring energy costs, weak demand, and raw material shortages.     Energy remains the most critical challenge. Electricity accounts for 30‑45% of aluminium production costs, and current power prices in Germany and Europe are far higher than in the United States or China. That gap has dramatically eroded the global competitiveness of domestic smelters, pushing many to reduce output or consider permanent closures.   At the same time, demand from key downstream sectors – automotive, construction, and mechanical engineering – has remained weak due to broader economic headwinds. As a result, production capacity is significantly underutilized, while supply chain bottlenecks and fluctuating availability of scrap aluminium add further uncertainty.     To prevent deindustrialisation and carbon leakage, Aluminium Deutschland is calling for a “better framework” from both the German government and the EU. Its top demand is a long‑term mechanism that guarantees globally competitive energy prices for decarbonised electricity. The association also urges stronger policies to boost secondary aluminium production and use, noting that recycling consumes only about 5% of the energy needed for primary aluminium.     Finally, the industry appeals for a reduction of regulatory and tax burdens. Aluminium Deutschland argues that without a fair business environment, many production facilities will not survive the energy transition. The association warns that action is needed now to keep essential aluminium value chains in Germany.

Australia’s largest can maker, Visy, has announced a major milestone for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic): consumers have now returned over 3 billion eligible drink bottles, cans and cartons since the program’s launch. The achievement underscores the power of source‑separation recycling in boosting beverage container recovery rates and increasing recycled content in new packaging.     Visy said the deposit‑return mechanism encourages households to sort at the point of disposal, which not only lifts overall recycling volumes but also delivers cleaner, less contaminated material streams. High‑quality recovered material can then be turned back into food‑grade packaging with a much higher percentage of recycled content – a key goal for Australia’s circular economy roadmap.     As the operator of the CDS Vic North Zone, Visy runs more than 230 refund points across the state, making it convenient for local communities to drop off empty containers. The network also helps charities and sporting clubs raise funds by allowing them to collect refunds on behalf of donors. Visy has processed over 1.8 billion containers from its zone alone since the scheme began.     Consumers receive a 10‑cent refund for every eligible container returned. According to Visy, the 3‑billion milestone translates into A$300 million returned to Victorians, much of which has been reinvested in local communities or donated to grassroots organisations.     Visy said the success of CDS Vic proves that well‑designed deposit systems can drastically reduce litter while providing a steady stream of high‑quality recycled material. The company continues to invest in its glass and aluminum recycling infrastructure to support the growing demand for sustainable packaging.