Sustainability is arguably the most critical topic of our time and one for which everyone shares a common responsibility. That sentiment — that everyone must do what they can to combat climate change — is growing across the world. Many see the need for eco-friendly living and are willing to adopt new methods to achieve that goal.
A recent study found that nearly three-quarters of survey respondents expressed willingness to drink wine contained in lightweight, recyclable aluminum cans over the traditional heavy, difficult-to-recycle glass bottles. That may be surprising in and of itself, but what’s really stunning is that this study was conducted in a country that takes its wine drinking seriously: France.
More efforts by forward-looking vintners are already being made, with wine in aluminum cans being marketed chiefly with the central selling point that it’s better for the environment, the responsible option, and just the right thing to do.
Increasing Popularity of Aluminum Can Options
As unimaginable as it may seem that 72% of the wine drinkers in France are ready to drink the national beverage out of an aluminum can, it’s far from an isolated sentiment. The canned alcoholic beverages market continues to grow worldwide, and more and more beverages that have traditionally been available only in bottles are now packaged in lightweight, recyclable, planet-friendly aluminum cans.
The market is expected to increase steadily over the next decade. With advances in can and canning technology, the availability of varying options in can size, and the increasing popularity of canned products across more and more beverage categories, many vintners, brewers, and other beverage producers are considering new options.
Across the beverage industry, domestically and internationally, producers that have traditionally relied primarily on heavy, fragile glass bottles for packaging and distribution are turning to canning solutions.
Genie in a Drink Can
Aluminum can options have been available for beer and other alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) beverages for nearly a hundred years. Not all beverage makers have adopted the technology, and wine producers — and drinkers — have been among the most resistant to new packaging technology.
As canning solutions get more affordable, attractive, and — as observed in international trends — seen as the more responsible option, beverage producers are increasingly opting to package their products in aluminum.
Aluminum can packaging is one of the best options for environmental impact. In fact, the eco-friendly aluminum drink can is beat out by only one other form of packaging: recycled aluminum cans. But this isn’t the only reason more beverage producers are turning to canning solutions.
It makes sense for a lot of different reasons. It’s not just the ecologically conscious and socially responsible thing to do. It solves a variety of problems inherent in beverage packaging and distribution. Beverages packaged and distributed in aluminum cans are not only more protected from light, leakage, and breakage, they can be more easily and densely stacked, and are a fraction of the weight of glass bottles, whether full or empty.
Getting Into Canned Products
The decision to transition to canning over other beverage packaging isn’t trivial for beverage producers. They must consider many factors, and the initial investment can be considerable.
Mobile canning offers a way for a craft brewer or other small, independent beverage producer to transition into canning from a traditional glass bottling process. It can be the first step into canning and provides a more affordable, low-risk method of evaluating aluminum can options. This strategy brings the added benefit of enabling a brewer to determine which can size, lids, and labeling options are appropriate for their needs.
Good for the Planet, Good for Profits
Wineries in France aren’t turning to aluminum cans just because it’s the right thing to do. Beverage producers that switch to aluminum canning solutions over glass bottles see an immediate benefit.
Aluminum cans are more affordable and efficient. Whether from more efficient and condensed warehousing and refrigeration, lighter weight, or decreased risk of breakage, switching to aluminum drink can packaging provides significant — and immediate — cost savings.
All of these factors benefit the beverage producer, distributors, retail customers, and ultimately the consumer. And each of these factors is multi-faceted — the things that make aluminum cans easier to ship, stack, refrigerate and recycle also provide considerable carbon savings over other forms of drink packaging.
Let Us Help Find the Right Canning Solutions for Your Needs
Canning is the better option for so many reasons that it’s challenging to list them all. Superior light and oxidization protection are deciding factors for French vintners that have decided to transition to aluminum can packaging. Beverages packaged and distributed in aluminum cans taste better, stay fresh longer… and just might meaningfully contribute to saving the planet.
Everyone at Twin Monkeys is committed to sustainability — it’s a part of our company culture — and we would love the opportunity to discuss how canning solutions can be an affordable, beneficial, and eco-friendly option for any producer or distributor of beverages. Let’s talk monkeys.