New Aluminum Bottle Products May Lead to Increased Aluminum Usage in the Beverage Packaging Industry

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The following is an advisory by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources Inc.; Houston, Texas). About a year and a half ago, Daiwa Can Company, Japan's largest aluminum can producer, began producing aluminum bottles for beer and tea companies. The novelty has caught on in Japan where the company produced approximately 480 million aluminum bottles in 2001. Along with two other manufacturers of aluminum bottles, capacity is expected to double over the next 2-3 years. All three manufacturers of aluminum bottles in Japan are contemplating line additions or expansions at this time.

The aluminum bottle can has all the attributes of the aluminum beverage can, it is lightweight and recyclable, but is shaped like a bottle. It comes with a resealable aluminum screw on cap, which is also recyclable. Aluminum bottles are expected to take market share back from PET (Plastic) bottles, which have grown in popularity lately and have replaced both glass & metal in some markets. It's only a matter of time before this product catches on in the U.S. and other international markets.