Light, economical and sustainable: The first Monobloc design tinplate aerosol can

The newly designed “SteeloCare” tinplate aerosol can features a complete Monobloc look with excellent print quality and feel, a seamless print image and no visible bottom seam. The low empty weight makes the new can design a real alternative to the aluminum aerosol can. The packaging steel producer ThyssenKrupp Rasselstein developed the new product in a technology alliance with the press manufacturer Schuler and Lanico, the aerosol can specialist. Packaging specialists can see the world’s first tinplate aerosol can for themselves at this year’s EuroBLECH in Hanover from October 21 to 25, at the ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe booth (E 33) in hall 17.

The head of research at ThyssenKrupp Rasselstein, Dr. Reiner Sauer, summarizes the advantages of the completely new can design: “The Monobloc design aerosol can is very attractive. In addition, it is highly economical as it has extremely thin, yet pressure-resistant walls thanks to the drawing and wall ironing (DWI) process used to make it. Furthermore, the use of tools and machinery is minimized. As the packaging steel is coated on both sides with plastic, the Monobloc can offers high corrosion stability combined with an appealing feel.”

Benefits for the entire value chain

The elegant appearance of the modern aerosol can, which is suitable for toiletries, cosmetics and food products, is just one of the positive effects. More innovation lies in the materials used, the manufacturing process and the economic and sustainable benefits for the entire value chain. ThyssenKrupp Rasselstein, a subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, has produced a further optimized HF steel specifically for this application. Its outstanding feature is its significantly increased elongation – i.e. formability – combined with a fine grain structure usually only seen in ultra-high strength steels, which ensures an extremely even surface. The initial sheet thickness of 0.190 millimeters is reduced by around half to between 0.100 and 0.090 millimeters. The benefit of this is clear: The reduced wall thickness gives the can an empty weight comparable to that of an aluminum can. Currently, sample cans with body diameters of 45 and 58 millimeters are available. Further advantages of the HF steel innovation: The close tolerances for earing reduce reworking and material loss, while the specially treated surface with its extremely thin coating facilitates separation and recycling at the end of the can’s useful life.

The can is coated with a similarly optimized PET film which is laminated to the steel strip without glue using a special heat treatment. This eliminates the painting and drying steps of the conventional process route – and thus machinery and energy costs. It also offers new scope in terms of coloring and printing. Last but not least, the plastic coating is BPA-free, a strong argument in the particularly sensitive market segments for personal care and food products.

Visit us at EuroBLECH 2014 in Hanover from October 21 to 25, hall 17, booth E 33.