The aluminium beverage can is now the popular choice for carbonated and still soft drinks, mineral waters, beers and lagers. It competes successfully against drinks containers of glass, plastic and steel, and is the only drinks container for which closed loop recycling applies; a used aluminium drinks can is recycled back into aluminium can sheet for the manufacture of another aluminium drinks can.

The good thermal properties of aluminium mean that the drinks can is quickly chilled. It has good rigidity and strength without the grave disadvantages of a glass bottle, of being fragile and dangerous when broken and much heavier than and aluminium can. It is lighter than steel and even a steel beverage can relies on aluminium for the top of the can since the better control on gauge and properties of aluminium mean that the easy open end of the can only be made in aluminium.

The range of beverage cans includes the standard beverage can with a 206 mm diameter end, and current machine conversions also allow for the production of a 202 mm diameter end. Can sizes include 330 ml, 355 ml and 375 ml

Aluminium cans provide long-term food quality preservation benefits. Aluminium cans deliver 100 percent protection against oxygen, light, moisture and other contaminants. They do not rust, are resistant to corrosion and provide one of the longest shelf lives of any type of packaging. Aluminium-based food canning has an unparalleled safety record. Tamper-resistant and tamper-evident packaging provides consumers with peace of mind that their products have been safely prepared and delivered. A vast variety of products are packaged using aluminium in addition to food and beverages: aerosol products, paint and thousands of other items in the consumer products market.

The can packaging market for food and beverage segment includes 2-pc (piece) and 3-pc cans of tin and aluminium both. Can packaging forms about 5% of the country's Rs 60,000 crore packaging industry. The overall packaging industry in India is growing at 5-6% year-on-year; however, the 2-pc beverage can market is growing at 10% year-on-year. With the 'can' being eco-friendly, its great barrier properties, superior shelf life and attractiveness make it apt for the Indian market, which demands and requires packaging with value addition.

India is expected to consume around 2.7 million tons of aluminium, a small fraction of the 65.5 million tons of estimated global demand, but while industry estimates peg global aluminium consumption growth at 4%-6% annually, India's consumption of the metal should grow at a rate of 11%-12%.

An aluminum beverage can refer to 2-piece and 3-piece packaging containers commonly employed for packaging of products such as soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and energy and sports drinks. Advantages of aluminum over substitutes such as steel or tinplate include lightweight, ease of use, cost competitiveness, and superior visual appeal. Furthermore, aluminum cans can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality or strength. Use of recycled material in the production of new cans employs 95.0% less energy as compared to that of aluminum can production from virgin materials. The India aluminum beverage can market size is projected to reach USD 457.4 million by 2025 at a CAGR of 10.7%.

The global beverage cans market is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace due to the increase in demand for aerated drinks and rise in consumption of packaged juices. Consumers are adopting healthier lifestyle, which in turn is propelling the demand for beverage cans for vegetables and fruits juices and caffeine-based drinks such as coffee and iced tea. Moreover, the expansion of the beverage cans market can be attributed to the rise in consumption of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and cider, which need to be cooled at specific temperatures to improve their taste. However, fluctuations in raw material prices and complexities in the manufacture of steel beverage cans are expected to restrain the beverage cans market. Innovation in design shape and recapping of beverage cans are anticipated to create opportunities in the market.

The global beverage cans market can be segmented based on material, application, and region. In terms of material, the beverage cans market can be categorized into plastic, aluminum, and steel. The aluminum segment is anticipate to hold a major market share of the market owing to its lightweight, high recyclable rate with easy fabrication process, and extensive use in the beverage industry. Moreover, it is easy and convenient to package aluminum cans, as aluminum can be molded in innovative shapes and sizes. Based on application, the beverage cans market can be bifurcated into alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages. The non-alcoholic beverages segment is projected to account for a major share of the beverage cans market, due to rise in disposable income and increase in temperature, which increases the consumption of soft drinks and juices.

The Global Beverage Cans Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% from USD 25.68 billion in 2019 to USD 32.53 billion in 2027. The increased recyclability of aluminum, increasing popularity of energy & sports drinks, health concern regarding the usage of plastics, and high molding and lightweight properties of metals used are the major drivers for the market.

Growing health concerns associated with the use of plastics containers is also a key factor influencing market growth. Many beverages are packaged in plastic containers in the U.S. (Plastic Industry Association, U.S.). However, pressure from environmental lobby groups and Government agencies is being felt by many can manufacturers, who are being bounded to reduce the consumption of plastics. Water and carbonated drinks are usually bottled in Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles. As bans on plastic packaging gains momentum across the U.S., manufacturers, and sellers are turning towards other available options.

Few Indian major players are as under

Ball Aerocan India Pvt. Ltd.

Ball Beverage Packaging (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Can-Pack India Pvt. Ltd.

Hindustan Tin Works Ltd.

Nilraj Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd.

Shetron Ltd.