ALPLA, CCL Label launch PET can format as aluminium alternative

AUSTRIA – ALPLA and CCL Label have introduced a stackable PET drink container wrapped in a full-body shrink sleeve, positioning the resealable format as a recyclable alternative to conventional aluminium beverage cans.

The new 0.33-litre format relies on transparent polyethylene terephthalate and requires no additional internal coatings, simplifying production while maintaining material integrity. 

The container can run on existing PET filling lines, allowing beverage producers to adopt the format without significant capital investment in new equipment. 

It can also be manufactured using recycled PET and is designed to remain within the established bottle-to-bottle recycling stream, preserving material value through repeated cycles.

Tethered Cap and Full-Body Sleeve Redefine Can Design

The closure features a tethered cap, which ALPLA described as new to the can category, and is engineered to shield contents from dirt and insects, potentially reducing sorting and washing work during recycling. 

The outer shrink sleeve covers the entire pack surface and delivers a 360-degree print area, available with silver and mirror-style finishes. 

Because the sleeve is applied after filling, brands retain flexibility to adjust designs and production at a later stage, supporting limited editions and regional variants without disrupting filling operations.

EcoFloat Sleeve Supports Recycling Separation

Recycling performance is underpinned by CCL Label’s EcoFloat sleeve, manufactured from low-density polyolefin. 

The label is engineered to detach from PET flakes during processing, preventing contamination of the recycled stream and helping recyclers maintain output quality. 

This separation capability addresses a longstanding challenge in packaging recovery, where adhesives and incompatible label materials frequently reduce recyclate purity.

Regulatory Pressure Reshapes Beverage Packaging

The launch follows the European Union’s ban on bisphenol-containing food packaging, particularly disposable formats, which took effect in July. 

Daniel Lehner, ALPLA’s global sales director for food and beverage, said a beverage can might just as well be made of plastic, noting that the PET can relied on the well-known material properties of transparent PET, which had proven themselves on the market, strengthened the supply chain and could highlight special products as a novelty. 

He added that ALPLA stood for safe and modern packaging solutions worldwide and that the PET can combined these features while enabling customers to have a seamless and long-term supply.

In March, ALPLA commenced operations at its new manufacturing facility in Calamba City, Philippines, establishing its first base plant in the country.

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