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Sonoco: Aluminium packaging evolving beyond protection with premium design and digital engagement. Stock image for referential purposes only Brands are increasingly using aluminium packaging not only to protect products, but also to create premium designs, connect with consumers digitally and support circular packaging goals, according to Sonoco. "Across fish and pet food applications, aluminium packaging demonstrates its versatility: not only through product protection and recyclability, but also through the premium decoration possibilities that enable brands to stand out on the shelf and create lasting consumer engagement," speaking to Packaging Insights, Francesco Giannolo, Vice President for Commercial at Sonoco Consumer Packaging EMEA and APAC, said. Premium aluminium packaging supports evolving consumer demand Sonoco said brands are increasingly turning to aluminium packaging to improve shelf appeal while meeting growing demand for more sustainable packaging. Among its latest developments is a collaboration with Fábrica de Conservas da Murtosa on the Portuguese Gold sardine tin, which combines lithographic printing with embossing and debossing to transform a traditional sardine tin into premium packaging that reflects Portuguese heritage. The company is also seeing rising demand for 85 g aluminium cans used for wet pet food, as manufacturers review packaging choices in response to the European Union's (EU)Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). According to Giannolo, aluminium's barrier properties, recyclability and established recycling infrastructure make it an attractive alternative to multi-material flexible pouches while helping preserve product quality and shelf life. To support this growing market, Sonoco has expanded its metal packaging capabilities for wet pet food through a new production line in Outreau, France, alongside its paper packaging operations for dry pet food products. To learn the future of aluminium in the packaging industry, explore its report "ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics" Design becoming a key differentiator for aluminium packaging Sonoco said packaging design is playing a growing role as brands look to strengthen their visual identity and engage consumers more effectively. Giannolo said aluminium offers high-quality printing capabilities that allow brands to combine heritage-inspired designs with modern aesthetics across different product categories. "We are responding by working closely with our customers to develop packaging solutions that combine functional performance with impactful design, supporting brand differentiation and consumer engagement," he stated. Digital connectivity expands aluminium packaging's role Beyond appearance, Sonoco believes digital technology is expanding the role of aluminium packaging by improving traceability and consumer interaction. The company said its printing capabilities allow unique QR codes to be incorporated directly onto aluminium packaging, enabling consumers to access product information, provenance details, recycling guidance and sustainability credentials. "Beyond transparency, connected packaging opens new possibilities for consumer interaction and brand storytelling, transforming the pack into a gateway between the physical product and digital experiences," he said. Circularity expected to drive future aluminium packaging growth Looking ahead, Sonoco expects aluminium to play a bigger role as packaging regulations place greater emphasis on recyclability and circular economy goals. Giannolo said aluminium's property of infinite recyclability and well-established recycling infrastructure position it strongly under evolving sustainability frameworks, including the PPWR and its focus on high recyclability standards. He added that while no single packaging material is suitable for every application, aluminium continues to offer a combination of product protection, lightweight performance and premium decoration that supports a wide range of food packaging applications. "At Sonoco, we see this evolution as an opportunity to further support our customers by combining material expertise and advanced printing capabilities, helping them unlock the full potential of aluminum not only as a sustainable packaging material, but as a platform that connects performance, storytelling, and digital engagement," Giannolo said. Explore downstream aluminium suppliers, product listings and trade opportunities on AL Biz Last updated on: 31 JULY 2026

Axjo, Balcan, Detpak among international packaging companies expanding in US. Recent announcements of new facilities and expansions also come from U.S.-based companies including Graham Packaging, Packaging Corporation of America, Quad and Sonoco. Published July 31, 2026 Plastic packaging producers led a round of announcements in recent weeks about facility openings and expansions. Several international companies are among those opening or upgrading packaging facilities in the United States. * Axium Packaging is expanding its Midwest presence with a new facility in the St. Louis area. The 202,000-square-foot facility is the company's third in Missouri. It will initially launch with extrusion blow molding capabilities and will expand into injection stretch blow molding. * Axjo Group, a Sweden-based recycled plastic packaging specialist whose U.S. headquarters is in Conover, North Carolina, opened a new 160,600-square-foot plant in Haltom City, Texas. The company has begun production there for large reels to serve customers in the wire and cable sector. The company says it's seeing strong demand for these products, and the new location will bring it closer to customers. * Balcan Packaging, a Quebec-based manufacturer of plastic technical films and flexible packaging, launched a new extrusion line at its plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The five-layer wide web line will enable the company to produce industrial sheeting up to 50 feet wide, meeting growing demand for the products that are largely used to wrap boats, scaffolding, modular homes and other construction projects. The Pleasant Prairie plant opened in 2022, marking Balcan's entry into production in the U.S. * Detpak, an Australia-based Detmold Group company, opened a new manufacturing site in Spartanburg, South Carolina - its first plant in North America. While the company has supplied foodservice packaging into this market for 20 years, the local plant will improve responsiveness and supply chain reliability, a spokesperson said via email. Detpak chose Spartanburg because of the area's "strong manufacturing environment, skilled workforce, strategic logistics network and proximity to key customer markets," according to the spokesperson. * Graham Packaging signed a lease for a 216,000-square-foot industrial space in Lee's Summit, Missouri, according to CoStar. The rigid plastic container manufacturer proposed to the city council in May that it would begin operations this year and that all lines would be open by 2028. The company said the project would bring 82 jobs, and it sought property tax abatement. * Packaging Corporation of America announced during a July 23 earnings call that it had started up a new corrugated converting plant in Ohio. The 550,000-square-foot facility is "in a very strategic area for us while improving our operational efficiency over the long term," said President Tom Hassfurther during the call. * Quad is expanding its packaging manufacturing with a new facility in Salt Lake City. Operations are expected to launch at the 100,000-square-foot facility during the fourth quarter. The company says box-making equipment at the site will include a sheeter, die cutters, folding gluers and a Heidelberg XL 106 press with UV capabilities. * Sonoco announced during a July 23 earnings call that it had completed a $20 million expansion at its wire and cable reels production and assembly facility in Hartselle, Alabama. The additional 15% production capacity for wood reels is intended to meet surging demand amid the data center construction boom and power grid upgrades. "We have been essentially sold out and needed this additional capacity to meet market demand," said CEO Howard Coker during the call.

Sonoco advances premium aluminum packaging for digital engagement and circularity. Key takeaways. * Sonoco is expanding aluminum packaging for fish and wet pet food, combining strong barrier protection, recyclability, and convenient portion formats. * Advanced printing, embossing, and debossing help brands create premium packs that strengthen shelf differentiation, heritage storytelling, and perceived value. * Serialized QR codes can provide product information, provenance, and recycling guidance while supporting traceability and Digital Product Passport requirements. Aluminum packaging is evolving beyond product protection toward premium applications and improved circularity, as technological advances create new opportunities for consumer engagement and traceability, highlights Sonoco. Packaging Insights sits down with Francesco Giannolo, VP for Commercial at Sonoco Consumer Packaging EMEA and APAC, to discuss how aluminum packaging is evolving to meet the company's sustainability and consumer engagement goals. What can you tell Packaginginsights about Sonoco's latest aluminum solutions? Giannolo: Its latest aluminum packaging developments reflect how brands are using metal packaging to respond to evolving consumer expectations, whether through convenient portion formats or by elevating traditional categories with premium, design-led packaging. A recent example is its collaboration with Fábrica de Conservas da Murtosa on the Portuguese Gold sardine tin. By combining lithographic printing with embossing and debossing directly on the aluminum surface, Packaginginsights reimagined the traditional sardine tin as a premium, giftable pack that celebrates Portuguese heritage while appealing to today's consumers. Packaginginsights is also seeing growing interest in 85 g aluminum cans for wet pet food, driven not only by the continued expansion of the category but also by the evolving sustainability landscape. As the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) accelerates the transition toward more circular packaging solutions, many brands are reassessing material choices and exploring alternatives to multimaterial flexible pouches. In this context, aluminum offers a compelling solution. Its excellent barrier properties, infinite recyclability, and well-established recycling infrastructure make it well-suited to support circular packaging ambitions while maintaining the protection and shelf life required for high-quality wet pet food. The 85 g format also aligns with consumer demand for convenient portion sizes that help minimize food waste. Sonoco invested in metal packaging for wet pet food with the opening of a new line in Outreau, France, in addition to paper packaging capabilities for dry products. Future-ready packaging materials support brands' growth ahead of the PPWR. Across fish and pet food applications, aluminum packaging demonstrates its versatility: not only through product protection and recyclability, but also through the premium decoration possibilities that enable brands to stand out on the shelf and create lasting consumer engagement. What key trends do you spot in aluminum packaging design? Sonoco combined lithographic printing with embossing and debossing on aluminum surface for Fábrica de Conservas da Murtosa's Portuguese Gold sardine tin.Giannolo: Packaginginsights observe the increasing importance of premium visual identity and shelf differentiation. Aluminum offers excellent printing capabilities, enabling brands to combine heritage and modernity in a distinctive way. For heritage-inspired products, traditional fish tins provide a good illustration. Through vibrant colors, festive decorative elements, and carefully crafted graphics, brands can celebrate their history while reinforcing storytelling and emotional connection with consumers. Examples include Portuguese sardine and tuna brands that often use aluminum packaging to express authenticity, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage. At the same time, more contemporary applications, such as wet pet food, are adopting cleaner and more modern aesthetics. High-definition images of the product itself, appealing pet photography, and sophisticated graphic layouts help products stand out on the shelf and strengthen their premium positioning. The quality of decoration achievable on aluminum further enhances consumers' perception of value and quality. Packaginginsights is responding by working closely with its customers to develop packaging solutions that combine functional performance with impactful design, supporting brand differentiation and consumer engagement. What opportunities or challenges do you see in designing aluminum packaging? Giannolo: There is no one-size-fits-all packaging solution. The most suitable material depends on the objectives of each individual project. Metal packaging - both aluminum and steel - is permanently recyclable and can be recycled at scale through well-established collection and recycling systems. It also offers one of the highest levels of product protection. Acting as an absolute barrier against light, moisture, and oxygen, metal helps preserve product quality while enabling long shelf life without refrigeration for many applications. Aluminum is lightweight and highly formable. It enables various packaging shapes while using very thin gauges. Steel, meanwhile, often provides the optimal balance of strength, performance, and cost for many food applications. Paper can be an excellent choice for dry products and other suitable uses. Ultimately, material selection should always be based on the specific requirements of the project. Expected shelf life, product formulation, processing method, filling technology, distribution channels, point of sale, circularity objectives, CO2 reduction targets, and consumer expectations all play an important role in determining the best material. One of Sonoco's unique strengths is its ability to offer aluminum, steel, and paper packaging solutions. Since Packaginginsights is not tied to a single material, Packaginginsights can take an objective, fit-for-purpose approach, helping customers identify the packaging solution that best meets their technical, commercial, and sustainability objectives in every market they serve. In what ways can technology help? Giannolo sees a growing interest in Sonoco's 85 g aluminum cans for wet pet food.Giannolo: Technology is increasingly helping aluminum packaging go beyond its traditional protective function by creating new opportunities for transparency, traceability, and consumer engagement. At Sonoco, Packaginginsights can leverage its printing capabilities to incorporate unique QR codes directly onto aluminum packaging, enabling brands to provide consumers with instant access to product information, provenance details, recycling guidance, and sustainability credentials. These unique serialized codes can also support emerging initiatives such as Product Digital Passports, helping strengthen traceability throughout the value chain. Beyond transparency, connected packaging opens new possibilities for consumer interaction and brand storytelling, transforming the pack into a gateway between the physical product and digital experiences. As consumer expectations and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, Packaginginsights believe digital connectivity will play an increasingly important role in enhancing the value of aluminum packaging. How do you see the future of aluminum packaging development? Giannolo: In the context of increasingly stringent sustainability frameworks, particularly the evolving PPWR framework and its focus on material classification such as Grade A recyclability, aluminum is well positioned as a high-performance packaging material that should continue to be actively promoted within circular economy systems. Its infinite recyclability and established recycling infrastructure reinforce its role as a long-term solution for sustainable packaging. Beyond sustainability considerations, aluminum continues to deliver strong value in terms of functionality and brand expression. Across food applications ranging from heritage dessert bowls to convenience-driven formats and pet food applications, it enables product protection and powerful on-shelf differentiation. At Sonoco, Packaginginsights see this evolution as an opportunity to further support its customers by combining material expertise and advanced printing capabilities, helping them unlock the full potential of aluminum not only as a sustainable packaging material, but as a platform that connects performance, storytelling, and digital engagement.