Sonoco unveils resealable metal cans and microwaveable metal bowls at Interpack 2026 as plastic-free alternatives

GERMANY – Sonoco has unveiled resealable CapOnCan metal cans and microwaveable metal bowls at interpack 2026, offering mono-material alternatives to glass jars and plastic trays that cut costs and reduce EPR charges.

The CapOnCan uses a metal container and a hermetically sealed metal cap in a mono-material structure, intended as an alternative to glass jars with metal closures. 

It is lighter than glass and can be reclosed for storage in the fridge after opening, with family-size products and pet food among the intended uses. 

The steel can eliminates the glass component entirely, reducing weight for transport and removing the breakage risk that glass introduces.

Microwaveable Metal Bowls

The company also presented metal bowls certified by the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) for microwave use, aimed at ready meal products as a recyclable substitute for standard plastic trays. 

Metal packaging has traditionally been excluded from microwave use due to arcing risks; AFNOR certification confirms that Sonoco’s bowls are designed with geometry and material specifications that prevent sparking. 

For ready meal producers, the bowls offer the shelf life and durability of metal with the consumer convenience of microwave heating.

Paper Packaging Innovations

In its paper packaging line-up, Sonoco highlighted wider use of GreenCan in dry food, with the pack containing up to 98 percent paper and using 100 percent recycled paperboard. 

At the event, the format was shown through customer case studies, including Your Coffee Taste, which served coffee blends to visitors at Sonoco’s stand. 

Cristal Union and its Daddy brand also appeared with Sonoco to discuss the effect of regulation and changing consumer expectations on packaging choices, including paper-based packaging for icing sugar.

Sonoco also displayed a multi-purpose paper membrane intended to replace plastic sprinklers with a paper-based option, and highlighted demand for Orbit, its easy-open metal end for glass jars, which aims to improve access for a broader group of consumers.

Reducing EPR Exposure

Extended Producer Responsibility fees in Europe are calculated based on packaging weight, material type, and recyclability. 

Metal packaging is widely recycled and commands lower fees than hard-to-recycle plastics. By offering mono-material metal alternatives to mixed-material packs, Sonoco’s new products reduce both regulatory exposure and material costs. 

The resealable feature also addresses a consumer pain point with metal cans: once opened, conventional metal cans cannot be closed, forcing consumers to transfer contents to another container.

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