USA Metal Cans Market Size

US Metal Cans Market Analysis

The USA Metal Cans Market size is estimated at USD 20.73 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 24.18 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.13% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

• The increasing popularity of metal cans can be attributed to various factors, including their sustainability, durability, and ease of use, as well as the increase in non-premise consumption and consumer preference for new formats (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), food and aerosol in which cans are the preferred packaging.
• Metal cans, especially aluminum, are the most recycled packaging units worldwide. They can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle without quality degradation, making them the preferred packaging material for brands across industries, ahead of other materials, such as plastic and paper. In the United States, 105,784 aluminum cans are recycled each minute, leading to an overall recycling rate of nearly 50%, the highest recycling rate for any beverage container.
• The demand for aluminum cans is expected to increase significantly by 2030, and North America, specifically the United States, is anticipated to contribute hugely to that demand growth. Several vertical and horizontal alignments are constantly taking place in the country owing to the immense demand for metal packaging. In May 2023, Manna Capital collaborated with Ball Corporation to expand the aluminum can sheet manufacturing and recycling facility in the United States.
• Metal cans are used for pet food packaging and have played a significant role in plastic-free pet food packaging. The increased demand for pet food in the United States is driving the increase in the production capacity of metal cans for pet food packaging. According to a Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) study published in July 2023, the pet food and treats industry generates an estimated 300 million pounds of plastic waste annually from the United States alone. This is a significant factor due to which some processors are moving away from plastic packaging and gravitating more toward metal cans for pet food.
• Metal cans packaging faces much competition from other packaging solutions. Alternatives such as plastic, paper, or glass packaging solutions are available. Plastic packaging continues to be the main competitor of metal packaging. The food and beverage industry, the primary user of metal cans, has started adopting recyclable plastic packaging solutions. Plastic cans are transparent, which helps brands to show their food's quality.
• Moreover, incremental enhancements in plastic packaging are posing a threat to the market. This can primarily be attributed to the popularity of plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as substitutes. PET plastics threaten to displace metal can packaging solutions in the food and beverage sector.
• The COVID-19 pandemic boosted the growth of the food and beverage industry, which has a major share in the metal can packaging market, as the industry falls under the essential commodity. Beverage can manufacturers have reduced the weight by reducing the gauge required to fabricate the cans. Metal cans can support the carbonation pressure that is needed to package soda. Metal cans also resist forces up to 90 pounds per square inch. This factor makes the cans the favored choice for packaging in the beverage industry.