Tags: International Aluminium Intstitute

Muscat, Oman. The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) Chairman Svein Richard Brandtzæg today (Nov 15) welcomed the launch of the latest in the series of product-related sustainability websites from IAI, highlighting the advantages of the use of aluminium in packaging. Recognising the demand from customers, consumers and policymakers around the world for up-to-date and easy to access information, the IAI has developed the site to demonstrate the economic, social and environmental benefits of aluminium packaging solutions.

http://packaging.world-aluminium.org

Launched today at the Arab International Aluminium Conference 2011 (ARABAL), the website features interactive content based on the IAI’s lifecycle research and examples of the full range of aluminium packaging applications.

It also provides credible and accurate life cycle data, which underpins and supports the aluminium industry’s sustainability strategy of reducing the environmental impact of its facilities, increasing the use of aluminium in energy saving applications and maximising the recycling of products at the end of their useful life.

The recycling website follows on from the success of the IAI’s recent green building (http://greenbuilding.world-aluminium.org), transport (http://transport.world-aluminium.org) and recycling websites (http://recycling.world-aluminium.org), which have proved popular with architects, car manufacturers, policymakers and academics, who are looking for quantitative data and examples of aluminium use in sustainable products and recycling at end of life.

Commenting on the website, Mr. Brandtzæg said “Through its light-weight, formability, barrier properties and recyclability, aluminium is a material that is increasingly being employed in protective and safe packaging applications. Providing consumers and the community with information on the sustainability performance of such applications is essential for them to make informed material choices – this website is a one-stop-shop for such information and for real life examples of packaging solutions that are already saving valuable food, pharmaceutical and fuel resources.”

The website has been created by Interstruct Berlin (www.interstruct.com) for the International Aluminium Institute, in cooperation with national and regional aluminium associations around the world

This website has been designed for the general public, public policymakers and the customers of the aluminium industry. The user will find credible and accurate data, which underpin and support the aluminium industry’s sustainability and the sustainability of its products.

Protective

Aluminium foil packaging is the lightest material to offer a complete barrier to light, gases and moisture and can help to extend the life of products. By enabling products to be preserved for long periods without the need for refrigeration, aluminium packaging helps to prevent spoilage and can provide large energy savings.

Resource Saving

Aluminium in packaging applications saves more resources than are needed in its production. Various Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) show that aluminium packaging contributes less than 10% of the environmental impact in a product‘s lifecycle, yet prevent spoilage and therefore save the resources that went into farming, transporting and preparing the contents.

Decorative

Aluminium’s diverse range of finishes plus its compatibility with all printing technologies provides designers with enormous scope to create packaging with stunning graphic design, shelf presence and brand identity.

Conductive

Aluminium has a thermal conductivity at the top of the range for metallic alloys, making it ideal for applications that minimise heating and chilling times and energies, such as a cold drink can or a ready meal foil tray.

Lightweight

Lightweight aluminium packaging helps save resources during the transport and storage of the protected product and the packaging itself, both to the consumer and at the end of the packaging life.

Formable

The formability of aluminium allows for the manufacture of shape holding foil applications, eye catching aerosol containers and branded drinks cans. The metal’s malleability also means that aluminium foil can be easily deformed without losing its barrier integrity.

Recyclable

The aluminium drinks can is the most recycled beverage container in the world and most aluminium foil applications are fully recyclable as well. Aluminium foil applications that are not recycled can be incinerated for energy recovery and the metal even recovered from incinerator bottom ash.

Hygienic & Safe

Aluminium foil is completely sterile thanks to the high temperature annealing production process. It is safe for use in contact with foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals and doesn’t harbour or promote the growth of bacteria.

Notes

•     Aluminium packaging via its unique combination of properties contributes to the efficient fabrication, storage, distribution, retailing and usage of products.

•     The aluminium beverage can is one of the most sustainable packaging solutions available, because it protects its contents, is cost-effective and can be recycled after use again and again.

•     In North America and in Europe, a used beverage can is produced, filled, distributed, consumed, collected and recycled back into a can within 60 days.

•     Aluminium foil is by far the lightest ‘complete barrier’ material in a packaging composite. For example, a flexible fruit juice pouch or a beverage carton with a thin internal aluminium layer of only a few microns can be 20 times or more lighter than a traditional bottle.

•     Aluminium packaging is the “insurance” to protect the energy invested in producing, growing and processing food. It also ensures the additional energy used to get that food to us – in transport, retailing, shopping, storing & cooking – is not wasted.

•     30% of the food in developing countries perishes due to the lack of packaging. Aluminium has the best barrier properties to keep food and drinks fresh and safe and to avoid loss, guaranteeing a longer shelf-life, thus contributing to the sustainability of food and drinks products.

•     Speciality packaging of pharmaceuticals and other medical products protects and maintains sterile conditions during transportation and storage until use.

•     Aluminium helps to reduce the impact of used packaging. Aluminium is light and minimises packaging volumes.

•     The aluminium drinks can is the most recycled beverage container in the world and most aluminium foil applications are fully recyclable as well.

•     The aluminium industry has a long tradition of collecting and recycling used aluminium products and the high economic value of used aluminium packaging is an incentive for continuous improvement in recycling.

For further information please contact

Katy Tsesmelis, Manager, Material Stewardship, International Aluminium Institute, Tel: + 44 (0)7825 220031, Email: tsesmelis@world-aluminium.org – Site: http://www.world-aluminium.org

Chris Bayliss, Director, Global Projects, +44(0)7947 922 295, bayliss@world-aluminium.org