Leading Japanese canmaker Toyo Seikan and compatriot canstock manufacturer UACJ have developed a beverage can end that is made with recycled aluminium, and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40%, the companies say.

The recycled materials in the end, called the EcoEnd, have approximate GHG emissions of 3% compared with primary aluminium. The increased use of such recycled materials delivers the 40% reduction in GHG emissions.

Both companies say that compared with current beverage can ends, EcoEnd will save emissions by “approximately 13,000 tonnes per billion lids”, according to their research.

Furthermore, Toyo Seikan said: “If all beverage can lids sold by Toyo Seikan in Japan are replaced with EcoEnd, a GHG emission reduction of approximately 140,000 tonnes is expected annually.” 

The breakthrough combined UACJ’s material manufacturing technology with Toyo Seikan’s end-forming technology and is the result of a business alliance signed in February 2023.

Toyo Seikan said: “We have realised the development of a next-generation lid with the same quality performance as the current lid even when the use of new aluminium is reduced.”

The dimensions of the end remain the same, and the same seaming equipment can be used to attach the end once the can is filled.

The companies expect that more recycled materials, such as used beverage cans (UBC), will be incorporated in future production, “leading to a reduction in GHG emissions due to a decrease in the use of new metals”. 

UACJ was established as a global aluminium product manufacturer in 2013 from the merger of Sumitomo Light Metal Industries and Furukawa-Sky Aluminum, employing 9,500 across the world. Toyo Seikan is a global packaging manufacturer, with a 20,000-strong workforce in Japan and globally.