This year's Metal Packaging Manufacturers' Association (MPMA) awards recognised the advances made by cans in the glass-dominated ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages sector.
In particular, MPMA director Tony Woods underscores the importance of the Best in Metal gold award winner in the New Product/Market category. Diageo's Smirnoff Black Ice and Red Ice drinks were originally marketed in glass, but are now sold in 30cl slimline cans. "This is really important. You have a manufacturer choosing a slimline aluminium can to reposition an existing RTD product," he says.
The silver award went to the Cuba Cabana vodka and chocolate milk mix in a 25cl beverage can. Both this can, for Hela Wines & Spirits, and the Smirnoff cans were produced by Rexam Beverage Can Europe & Asia.
In the case of Cuba Cabana, heat processing means that print technology normally used for beverage cans would not be appropriate, and a special varnish is used to protect the decoration. Woods comments: "Print on metal has come on in leaps and bounds over the last 10 years. The processes have improved, but so too have the inks and coatings available."
In the Food category, the winner was the Appel Exquisit can, produced by Impress for Appel Feinkost Cuxhaven. The design combines high quality flexo print with an Easy Peel lid. But on the subject of convenience, Woods is cautious: "This easy-open application is another step forward. But the key thing for us is that seal integrity is ensured, and pack performance maintained."
Impress was also behind the asymmetric steel can for Hammerite which won a silver in the Functionality category.
Contact: MPMA, Tel: 0118 925 5520