Aluminium aerosol can producers have come under pressure due to rising costs, according to the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL). The rising cost of slug, energy, coating, transport and labour is causing the industry concern: “In recent years we were able to at least partially absorb some of the cost increases through improved in-house efficiency and higher productivity. These possibilities are now exhausted and pressure on margins has become extraordinarily strong,” said AEROBAL president Emmanuel Perret. “Our industry has to have adequate margins if the future innovative strength of companies is to be guaranteed.”
Despite these rising costs and the impact of a stagnation in demand in the US and large parts of Asia, aluminium aerosol producers enjoyed global market growth of 6% in the first half of 2008. In addition, demand in Europe and South America remains strong and the industry has benefited from the sustained trend for shaped cans and promotional pack sized cans, as well as continued demand for deodorants.
“Our industry is really thinking outside the box when it comes to new applications for aluminium aerosol cans,” commented Gregor Spengler, AEROBAL secretary general. “New products such as toothpaste in cans, self-tanning sprays, hair powder sprays or cooking oil sprays have been developed in order to explore new markets.”