A few years ago, Ball introduced ReAl – a new technology utilizing recycled aluminum to create a metal alloy that exhibits increased strength and allows weight reduction of the container without affecting package integrity. The original ReAl, which replaced the standard aluminum aerosol can, included 25% recycled material to yield an 11% lighter package.
In 2015, Ball continued its aluminum aerosol lightweighting journey with the introduction of an even lighter iteration of ReAl in collaboration with Henkel Beauty Care. This newest iteration contains comparable recycled material and the package is now 15% lighter than the standard aluminum aerosol can. Additionally, despite the increased alloy strength, Ball successfully developed a container with a deep shape to produce a can with a distinctive shelf presence. Ball is working to achieve even further lightweighting in the future.
For a 150- and 200-milliliter sized can, Henkel’s Fa is now the lightest commercially available can in the market. By utilizing the lighter weight ReAl technology, Ball estimates a product carbon footprint reduction of 12 percent, which saves the equivalent greenhouse gases emitted by a vehicle driving around the earth more than a thousand times (based on estimated annual volumes supplied).
“ReAl is a material that is stronger, formable and compatible with Ball’s existing aerosol can lines,” said Dan Rabbitt, vice president, Ball Aerocan. “For companies like Henkel, who continually drive for more sustainable packaging, this means that they can achieve their goals without sacrificing design or shelf presence. Everyone wins with ReAl – the customer, the consumer and the environment.”