Metal Print Packaging Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 118.82 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 152.88 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 5.17% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Metal Print Packaging Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The metal print packaging market size stands at USD 118.82 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 152.88 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 5.17%. Advancing digital printing, rising demand for infinitely recyclable substrates and a clear pivot toward sustainable packaging continue to redraw the competitive map. Beverage brands now treat printed cans as mobile billboards, while pharmaceutical and personal-care firms rely on metal’s barrier performance to protect product efficacy. Producers are investing in laser ablation and variable-data workflows that shrink lead times, slash setup costs and enable SKU proliferation. At the same time, governments are tightening circular-economy rules and carbon-tax exposure, favoring suppliers able to document closed-loop recycling and lower Scope 3 footprints.
Key Report Takeaways
- By material type, aluminum commanded 71.21% of metal cans market share in 2024, while steel registered slower expansion despite niche retention in certain food categories.
- By can structure, two-piece formats led with 54.53% revenue share in 2024; monobloc aerosol cans posted the fastest 4.94% CAGR through 2030.
- By capacity, the 250-500 ml range accounted for 30.42% of the metal cans market size in 2024; ≤250 ml cans are on track for a 5.01% CAGR.
- By manufacturing process, drawn-and-ironed cans held 32.59% of the metal cans market size in 2024, whereas impact extrusion is accelerating at a 4.88% CAGR.
- By end-user industry, beverages contributed 38.42% of the metal cans market share in 2024; pharmaceuticals are advancing at a 5.11% CAGR to 2030.
- By geography, North America led with 40.12% revenue share in 2024; Asia-Pacific is projected to expand at a 6.06% CAGR through 2030.
Global Metal Print Packaging Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid evolution of digital print technology | +1.2% | Global, early adoption in North America and EU | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Growth in canned beverage consumption | +1.8% | Global, strongest in Asia-Pacific and North America | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Sustainability-driven demand for recyclable metal | +1.4% | EU and North America leading, expanding to Asia-Pacific | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Laser ablation lines for just-in-time runs | +0.6% | North America and EU, spillover to Asia-Pacific | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Interactive QR/NFC-enabled packaging | +0.4% | Global, premium brand first movers | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| On-shoring of aerosol-can printing | +0.8% | Asia-Pacific core, spillover to Middle East and Africa and Latin America | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Rapid Evolution of Digital Print Technology
Hyper-flexible inkjet platforms such as Koenig and Bauer’s MetJET ONE now print full-color graphics and variable data directly on cans without plates. Minimum order quantities fall from thousands to just a few hundred, empowering regional craft breweries and promotional campaigns to launch limited editions overnight. Pharmaceutical suppliers are migrating blister-foil printing to digital so that serialization codes and anti-counterfeiting elements can be added in line with GMP demands. The result is rising capital deployment into modular lines that combine offset for volume SKUs with digital heads for bespoke work, trimming both inventory and obsolescence costs.
Growth in Canned Beverage Consumption
Energy drinks, RTD coffee and premium craft beers continue to outgrow the broader beverage sector, and each favors aluminum for shelf life, portability and recyclability. Crown Holdings logged double-digit can shipments in 2024, highlighting the shift away from PET bottles in several mature markets. Asian per-capita beer consumption climbed in 2024, a trend mirrored by soft-drink makers pivoting to slim cans that support portion control and on-the-go use. Volume momentum is translating directly into new print capacity across Southeast Asia, India and Mexico where multinationals co-locate filling lines with can plants to lower freight emissions.
Sustainability-Driven Demand for Infinitely Recyclable Metal
Regulators are tightening extended-producer-responsibility fees and landfill levies. Germany’s aluminum packaging recycling rate rose past 90% in 2024, and Austria will roll out a unified lightweight-metal collection scheme in 2025. Brands now publish recycled content targets of 50% or more in packaging, favoring substrates that can be re-melted without downcycling. Life-cycle assessments show aluminum cans deliver the lowest greenhouse-gas intensity over multiple loops when compared with glass and multilayer cartons, further solidifying aluminum’s position in tender criteria.
Laser Ablation Lines Enabling Just-in-Time Customization
Fiber-laser systems remove litho ink on coated cans and print replacement graphics within a single pass, making weekly promotional rotations feasible. HGTECH and Xiamen Baofeng installations output 1,200 cans per minute while engraving traceable QR codes to support blockchain provenance programs. Beverages and OTC pharma brands deploy the capability for seasonal graphics and batch-level security marks without chemical etchants, lowering waste and VOC emissions. [1]HGTECH, “Aluminum Can Laser Marking Systems,” hgtech.com
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility in metal and ink input prices | -1.1% | Global, highest in import-dependent regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Competition from alternative substrates | -0.8% | Global, strongest in cost-sensitive uses | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Stricter VOC limits on solvent inks | -0.6% | EU and North America leading | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| High energy demand and carbon-tax exposure | -0.7% | EU leading, extending to developed markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Volatility in Metal and Ink Input Prices
Aluminum premiums spiked after the 2025 U.S. Section 232 tariff reinstatement, lifting can-sheet costs and compressing converter margins. German output dropped a further 2% in 2024, prompting downstream buyers to lock multi-year contracts or shift sourcing to the Middle East, yet freight surcharges offset part of the arbitrage. Ink formulators report ti-oxide price jumps tied to energy surcharges, leading to quarterly price-adjustment clauses in supply agreements. Smaller printers lacking hedging programs face working-capital stress, occasionally passing cost increases downstream and eroding metal print packaging market competitiveness.
Competition from Alternative Packaging Substrates
Carton makers pitch paper-based beverage sleeves with added polymer layers touting lower weight and transportation emissions. SIG’s CartoCan pilots in Europe captured private-label juice lines where shelf life under 12 months is acceptable. [2]SIG, “CartoCan Technology,” sig.biz Flexible-pouch suppliers market refill systems to personal-care brands, cutting primary pack weight by up to 60%. While many applications still require metal’s barrier, price-sensitive SKUs may switch if paper or pouch technologies achieve sufficient oxygen- and light-block performance, tempering upside for the metal print packaging industry in commoditized segments.
Segment Analysis
By Printing Technology: Digital Disruption Reshapes Workflows
Offset lithography, the stalwart of high-speed beverage can lines, retained a 38.43% slice of the metal print packaging market in 2024. However, digital inkjet’s 8.12% CAGR through 2030 is recalibrating capex priorities. Digital units excel in sub-50,000-unit orders where plate charges once overwhelmed per-can economics. The metal print packaging market size for digital jobs is set to more than double, driven by personalized marketing, regulatory serialization and regional craft-beverage launches.
Hybrid installations that marry offset base coats with digital accent layers are emerging. Brewers run bulk core graphics conventionally, then digitally overprint localized event artwork in the final mile, compressing campaign lead-time from weeks to days. Gravure remains entrenched for photo-realistic cosmetics tins, while flexography secures commodity food tins when cycle times and low changeover matter most. Collectively, these dynamics illustrate technology pluralism rather than outright substitution, underscoring why operators diversify equipment portfolios to defend margins across volume tiers.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Substrate Material: Aluminum Extends Command
Aluminum’s 44.54% revenue hold and 6.43% forecast expansion reflect its closed-loop recyclability, light weight and lower transport emissions compared with glass. Producers tout 10-day can-to-can cycles enabled by high regional scrap collection. Steel and tinplate cling to aerosol paints, foods and large tins where dent resistance and lower material cost offset weight penalties. Stainless and specialty alloys occupy medical device and specialty chemical niches, adding corrosion resistance.
Global rollout of carbon border adjustments is tilting economics further toward aluminum, whose smelters increasingly integrate renewable power. Tin-free steel seeks relevance via thin-gauge engineering, but its growth lags aluminum. To capitalize, converters such as Independent Can Company expanded coating lines for coated aluminum sheets, anticipating beverage and personal-care orders that demand premium metallic finishes without the mass of steel.
By Product Type: Tubes Catalyze Premiumization
Beverage cans provide 36.34% of 2024 turnover thanks to entrenched soft-drink and beer demand. Yet tubes and cartridges advance at a 7.23% CAGR as topical pharmaceuticals, dermacosmetics and high-viscosity glues migrate to collapsible aluminum packs. Metal provides oxygen- and moisture-barrier preservation surpassing laminate tubes while supporting 360-degree luxury aesthetics. Aerosol containers post steady gains on sustained household and personal-care sprays, with new propellant formulations aligning labels with evolving VOC directives.
Metal bottles and growlers, though niche, attract craft brewers and premium RTD coffee brands prioritizing reclosability and extended chill hold. Price-elastic segments justify the format, allowing printers to deliver embossed, matte or tactile finishes that elevate shelf presence. Across categories, value lies in linking structural innovation with surface graphic versatility to justify price premiums over plastic or glass.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By End-Use Application: Personal Care Steps Up
Food and beverage brands consumed 39.23% of printed metal volumes in 2024, underpinned by global soda and beer flows. Meanwhile, personal-care and cosmetics brands are forecast to rise 6.83% annually through 2030, embracing aluminum lipstick tubes, compact cases and refillable deodorant canisters that align with zero-waste pledges. Pharmaceutical demand remains resilient, as aluminum’s absolute barrier and tamper evidence underpin patient safety.
Industrial and household chemicals lean on steel for puncture resistance and compatibility with solvents. Auto touch-up paints and heavy-duty lubricants extend the application matrix, demonstrating how printed metal addresses both functional and branding imperatives. In each vertical, demand coalesces around storytelling through can artistry, QR-based traceability and lifecycle transparency, sustaining long-run volume and margin resilience.
Geography Analysis
North America captured 39.47% of 2024 revenue, buoyed by entrenched beer and energy-drink cultures plus ready access to recycled can sheet. Yet tariff‐driven feedstock volatility is forcing converters to hedge metal costs and consider onshoring litho-plate manufacture. Mexico and Canada benefit from USMCA duty-free flows, enabling tri-national supply chains that shorten freight distances and lower Scope 3 emissions for brand owners. Major investments in Iowa and Tennessee add two-piece can capacity tailored to slim formats gaining share in functional beverages.
Asia-Pacific posts the swiftest 8.32% CAGR through 2030. India’s USD 150 million CANPACK complex and Vietnam’s wave of joint-venture plants signal a regional pivot from import reliance to local manufacture. Rising disposable income and a youthful demographic propel RTD coffee, malt beverages and personal-care aerosols, amplifying metal print packaging market demand. Chinese equipment suppliers leverage scale to export turnkey lines across Southeast Asia, reinforcing localized ecosystems.
Europe grows steadily on the back of circular-economy mandates. Extended-producer-responsibility fees reward high recycling rates, positioning metal ahead of multilayer flexible pouches. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism lifts costs on imported high-carbon steel, indirectly elevating aluminum’s competitiveness. Germany’s 2024 packaging volume dip concealed an uptick in aluminum can penetration, reflecting consumer pivot toward climate-aligned formats. Austria’s 2025 nationwide lightweight-metal collection rollout is set to push can-to-can loops even tighter, supporting recurrent substrate demand.
Competitive Landscape
Market concentration remains moderate. Crown Holdings, Ball Corporation and Ardagh Metal Packaging integrate can-sheet sourcing, decoration and high-speed forming to deliver scale economies. Collectively, they represent roughly 45% of global turnover. Mid-tier challengers focus on regional strongholds or specialty formats such as contour bottles and laser-etched promotional cans. Ball’s 2024 acquisition of Alucan Entec’s Belgian and Spanish sites for EUR 82 million (USD 87 million) extends its European aluminum bottle franchise, illustrating bolt-on expansion to secure geographic white spots. [3]Ball Corporation, “Alucan Entec Acquisition,” ball.com
Technology differentiation is sharpening. Leading groups retrofit digital modules onto legacy lines to capture micro-run business while protecting bulk contracts. Interactive packaging startups such as Blue Bite embed NFC chips, turning cans into data carriers that support loyalty programs and counter illicit refills. Sustainability credentials now dominate RFP scoring. Crown’s 2025 “Built to Last” roadmap commits to net-zero operations by 2040, giving it a head start in emissions-based tenders. New entrants without recycling partnerships face steeper barriers, as brands demand proof of closed-loop pathways for scrap returns.
Innovation pipelines include ultra-thin water-based coatings that eliminate bisphenol-based liners, flame-cured inks that slash oven energy and low-CO₂ aluminum sourced from inert-anode smelters. Patent race dynamics suggest convergence between surface finishing, smart features and lifecycle analytics, enabling premium price capture while protecting share from substitute substrates.
Metal Print Packaging Industry Leaders
-
Crown Holdings, Inc.
-
Ball Corporation
-
Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A.
-
CCL Industries Inc.
-
Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- June 2025: Crown Holdings published “Built to Last,” outlining science-based carbon targets and closed-loop initiatives.
- March 2025: Crown Holdings won multiple design awards for digitally printed aluminum cans showcasing tactile varnish finishes.
- February 2025: Ardagh Metal Packaging reported robust 2024 earnings, buoyed by beverage can volumes and cost-out programs.
- January 2025: Gualapack Pharma launched digital printing on aluminum blister foils, enabling batch-level serialization.
Global Metal Print Packaging Market Report Scope
The report tracks the adoption of different printing processes used for metal printing, such as offset lithography, gravure, flexography, digital, and other printing technologies. Metallic printed packaging relies on materials such as aluminum, tin, or steel to make packaging containers for various products. It is easy to use and unbreakable and can withstand extreme pressures and temperatures.
The metal print packaging market is segmented by printing process (offset lithography, gravure, flexography, digital, and other printing technologies) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa). The report offers market sizes and forecasts in value (USD) for all the above segments.
| Offset Lithography |
| Gravure |
| Flexography |
| Digital |
| Other Printing Technologies |
| Aluminum |
| Steel (Tinplate) |
| Tin-free Steel |
| Other Substrate Materials |
| Beverage Cans |
| Aerosol Containers |
| Bottles and Growlers |
| Tubes and Cartridges |
| Other Product Types |
| Food and Beverage |
| Personal Care and Cosmetics |
| Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare |
| Industrial and Household Chemicals |
| Other End -use Applications |
| North America | United States | |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Chile | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Italy | ||
| Spain | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Asia-Pacific | China | |
| Japan | ||
| India | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Australia | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| Turkey | ||
| Rest of Middle East | ||
| Africa | South Africa | |
| Nigeria | ||
| Kenya | ||
| Rest of Africa | ||
| By Printing Technology | Offset Lithography | ||
| Gravure | |||
| Flexography | |||
| Digital | |||
| Other Printing Technologies | |||
| By Substrate Material | Aluminum | ||
| Steel (Tinplate) | |||
| Tin-free Steel | |||
| Other Substrate Materials | |||
| By Product Type | Beverage Cans | ||
| Aerosol Containers | |||
| Bottles and Growlers | |||
| Tubes and Cartridges | |||
| Other Product Types | |||
| By End-Use Application | Food and Beverage | ||
| Personal Care and Cosmetics | |||
| Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare | |||
| Industrial and Household Chemicals | |||
| Other End -use Applications | |||
| By Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Chile | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Spain | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| Japan | |||
| India | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Australia | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | |||
| Turkey | |||
| Rest of Middle East | |||
| Africa | South Africa | ||
| Nigeria | |||
| Kenya | |||
| Rest of Africa | |||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the 2025 value of the metal print packaging market?
The global market is valued at USD 118.82 billion in 2025.
How fast will global revenue grow through 2030?
Revenue is forecast to increase at a 5.17% CAGR, reaching USD 152.88 billion by 2030.
Which region shows the highest growth momentum?
Asia-Pacific leads with an expected 8.32% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
Which printing technology is gaining share the quickest?
Digital inkjet printing is projected to expand at an 8.12% CAGR, the fastest among all technologies.
Why is aluminum favored for printed metal packaging?
Aluminum offers infinite recyclability, strong barrier performance and lower transport weight, supporting sustainability commitments and cost efficiency.
Who are the leading global suppliers?
Crown Holdings, Ball Corporation and Ardagh Metal Packaging hold the largest combined revenue share, leveraging vertical integration and geographic reach.
Page last updated on:
