‘Lightest beverage can’ rolls off production lines at Toyo Seikan

Toyo Seikan’s compression bottom reform technology aids lightweighting without compromising the strength of the can

Japanese canmaker Toyo Seikan has begun commercial production of what is said to be its lightest aluminium D&I can in the domestic market.

The cans are being produced in 350ml and 500ml sizes at its plants in Chitose in Hokkaido, and Kiyama in Kyushu, with its other operations also planning to begin production in Japan.

Toyo Seikan said its 350ml can weighs 10.2 grams, a saving of 1.5 grams while its 500ml can weighs 13.0g for a saving of 2g.

The cans are made using Compression Bottom Reform (CBR) technology, which reforms the profile of the can’s dome, which also offers better shock resistance, while enabling a lighter starting gauge to be used.

The company also added that as a consequence of lightweighting, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are reduced by 9% for the 350ml and 500ml cans.

A spokesperson for Toyo Seikan told The Canmaker that production had begun on the 350ml cans, and that the 500ml cans are planned to ship in the summer, adding: “This will contribute to the wider adoption of our lightest aluminum cans and further reduction of GHG emissions.”

Although details of customers could not be disclosed by the company at this time, she said: “We are working towards widespread adoption by all our customers.”

Toyo Seikan plans to expand its CBR technology to its other manufacturing facilities in Japan.

Other recent innovations include Toyo Seikan’s announcement in December 2023 that it partnered with canstock manufacturer UACJ to develop the EcoEnd can end made with recycled aluminium, which would save up to 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the companies.

The company’s innovative aTULC can, which was first developed more than 30 years ago, also removes the need for energy, water, lubricants and other coatings and chemicals. Production lines for aTULC have been installed in a handful of plants around the world, including at US canmaker and filler American Canning in 2022.