The METPACK Conference will be opened by Clarissa Odewald, CEO of thyssenkrupp Rasselstein. In her keynote address on the structural transformation of the sector, she will outline how the metal packaging industry must adapt in the face of decarbonisation, geopolitical uncertainties, volatile energy and raw materials markets, and growing regulatory requirements. The focus will be on how competitiveness and climate targets can be achieved simultaneously, and what role the metal packaging industry plays in Europe’s industrial base.

A key theme of the conference focuses on modern packaging steels, material efficiency and lightweighting. In their presentation “Designing the Next Generation of Packaging Steel: the Maleïs® Case for Easy Open Ends”, Laura Rigoni Medeiros and Gilles Mangin from ArcelorMittal will present new approaches to packaging steel for easy-open-end applications. The focus is on metallurgical principles and different hardening mechanisms that enable further weight reduction whilst maintaining the ductility required for opening performance.

A second thematic area focuses on new packaging and processing solutions. Jiawen Chen, founder of Guangzhou Jorson Food Technology, presents a concept for the aseptic filling of solid foods into resealable, flat-drawn containers in “A sealable can & aseptic canning method”. The process combines a resealable can with an aseptic preservation method and is intended to enable shorter heating times as well as quality benefits for the filled products.

Gus Reall and Dennis Stammen from CDL / Stolle present another innovative approach to greater sustainability in the beverage can sector. Their presentation, “’1-Alloy’ Cans & Ends for a Sustainable Canning Industry Future”, introduces a concept whereby beverage can bodies and ends could in future be manufactured from a single aluminium alloy. This would simplify the material cycle, reduce the demand for new aluminium and further improve the environmental footprint of the beverage can.

Anne Reichardt, Research Engineer / FEA Specialist at thyssenkrupp Rasselstein, will follow on from this with a presentation entitled “Material matters: Let’s redefine your standard!”. The presentation will demonstrate how finite element analysis can be used to unlock further potential for down-gauging in D&I food cans. The aim is to achieve higher strengths without compromising formability, thereby further advancing material savings, efficiency and sustainability.

Another key focus is on coatings, regulatory requirements and product integrity. In his presentation “Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy to Track Coating Degradation in Metal Cans”, Alain Cagnard from Eastman Chemical Company explains how coating degradation in metal cans can be detected and quantified at an early stage using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). This covers chemical, thermal and mechanical stresses, as well as the shift towards chromium-free passivation solutions (CFPA) and the requirements for suitable coating systems.

Dr Nick Silk, Head of Product Development at TATA Steel UK, also looks ahead to the future of packaging steel. His presentation, “High recycled content packaging steels”, examines how increasing recycled content and varying scrap qualities affect the chemistry and processing of packaging steels. It also addresses the question of how packaging steels with significantly higher recycled content can be produced and what requirements this entails for producers and consumers.

With a focus on alternative container designs, Florian Weil, CEO of Weil Technology GmbH, will speak on the topic of “Sustainable packaging solutions: Laser-welded stainless steel containers for demanding filling goods”. The presentation will showcase laser-welded stainless steel containers as a PFAS-free, durable and fully recyclable alternative to traditional can manufacturing. The presentation demonstrates how modern laser welding technology produces smooth, tight and hygienically suitable seams, thereby opening up new possibilities, particularly for demanding, reactive or high-quality fill products.

Building on this, Marco Minghetti, Closures Lab Manager at SACMI IMOLA, examines the ongoing shift towards PVC-free closures for food contact in his presentation “Opportunities of a steady and continuous transition toward PVC-free caps and closures for food contact”. His presentation traces the development of this transformation and highlights the opportunities, market requirements and technical prerequisites that arise for manufacturers and users.