From new applications and technology to production efficiency, metal packaging brings together different areas of expertise and creates new paths for business development
Metal packaging has reached a very different scale in Brazil over the past several years. In 2009, the aluminum beverage can market stood at around 20 billion units. By 2025, sales had reached 34.1 billion units, an increase of more than 70% in 16 years and the second-highest volume on record. Over the same period, the supply chain also became more diverse and began incorporating new solutions.
It is no coincidence that Brazil now ranks third worldwide in aluminum can production, behind only the United States and China. Around a quarter of all aluminum sold in the country is consumed by the beverage segment, an indication of just how significant this application has become within the Brazilian economy.
But the opportunity extends well beyond production lines for soft drinks, beer and other beverages. Aerosols, food, paints, cosmetics and consumer goods are expanding the range of applications for steel and aluminum packaging, each with its own requirements for materials, equipment, coatings, printing, closures, automation and quality control.
One way to identify where the next business opportunities may emerge is to follow these shifts and understand what they require from companies looking to grow alongside them.
In this article
- Metal packaging supports a broad network of specialized suppliers
- New applications are taking cans into different industries
- Technology is changing what packaging can deliver
- Design and premiumization create new ways to add value
- Where are the opportunities for suppliers?
- OneCan brings together those who produce and those who transform the industry
- Frequently asked questions about the metal packaging market
1. Metal packaging supports a broad network of specialized suppliers
Producing tens of billions of units a year requires an infrastructure that begins long before packaging reaches the filling line. Metal goes through conversion, coating, printing and forming processes, all of which also depend on closure systems, machinery, inspection and automation to maintain quality and efficiency at scale.
This is where the size of the market becomes particularly relevant to industry suppliers. Production at this scale requires equipment, components, materials, technologies, finishes, specialized services and logistics solutions capable of keeping pace with manufacturing operations and their technical requirements.
In Brazil, the 34.1 billion beverage cans sold in 2025 provide a clear indication of the scale of this activity. The country’s position among the world’s leading producers also points to a well-established industrial structure involving a wide range of companies before each unit ever reaches the consumer.
This pace is also translating into new production requirements, including waste reduction, traceability, automation, better use of resources and circular economy practices, all of which are influencing decisions on the factory floor. Meeting these needs puts suppliers in a strategic position, as much of the evolution of metal packaging depends on the technologies, materials and services they bring to production.
2. New applications are taking cans into different industries
Beverages provide a clear picture of the scale of metal packaging in Brazil, but they represent only part of the applications served by the industry. Canned foods, seafood, chemicals, paints, personal care products, cosmetics and aerosols bring steel and aluminum into production lines with their own specific characteristics and, as a result, require different materials, components, equipment and technical expertise.
Aerosols are a particularly useful example of this potential. Brazil is the world’s fourth-largest producer in the segment, with 1.4 billion units manufactured in 2023, according to the Brazilian Aerosol Association (ABAS). That same year, the segment generated R$30 billion in revenue, with personal care accounting for 63% of domestic production, followed by other applications, insecticides and household products.
This variety is directly relevant to suppliers because each application brings its own requirements for both the package and the production process. Paint cans must meet different conditions from food cans; aerosols incorporate valves, propellants and dedicated filling systems; while canned foods and seafood require secure sealing, coatings suitable for contact with the contents and resistance to preservation processes.
These specific requirements create opportunities for new business, whether for a company supplying an aerosol production line, developing components for food packaging or providing equipment and materials for other categories. As applications become more varied, companies with the expertise to meet the particular requirements of each production process become increasingly relevant.
3. Technology is changing what packaging can deliver
A canned product stored at room temperature is a good example of how much technology can be built into something as seemingly simple as a can. The combination of material, internal coating, sealing and thermal processing makes it possible to offer vegetables, seafood, meat, sauces and ready meals with an extended shelf life without relying on a frozen supply chain.
Part of this evolution also reflects consumer choices shaped by everyday convenience. Easy-open ends found on cans of tuna, corn, peas and other foods show how a technical feature can make a product easier to use without compromising the seal required during processing and storage. The ability to keep certain foods at room temperature for extended periods also supports purchases for later consumption and a wider range of usage occasions. Inside the package, coatings act as a barrier between the food and the metal and can be developed to address specific characteristics of the contents, including more acidic or salty products such as fruit, vegetables and seafood.
Development is also continuing in the materials used inside the package. Internal coatings formulated without the intentional addition of substances such as BPA and PFAS are already available for food and beverage cans, while new formulations aim to combine corrosion resistance, flavor preservation and performance on production lines. Some solutions are designed to withstand processes such as pasteurization, hot filling and retort sterilization, showing how a change that is barely visible from the outside can address highly specific packaging requirements.
Technology also plays an important role in manufacturing quality control. Cameras and automated systems can inspect lids, closures and potential packaging defects, alongside equipment and process controls designed to maintain consistency on high-speed lines. In operations producing millions of units, improvements in precision, maintenance, control and resource use can deliver meaningful gains and create opportunities for additional specialized suppliers.
These demands create opportunities for companies supplying technology, equipment, coatings and components, often through targeted improvements that can make a significant difference to the final result. A more functional lid, a barrier suited to a particular food, more accurate inspection or a process that reduces waste are all examples of solutions that can emerge from production needs while responding to changes in both manufacturing and consumption.
4. Design and premiumization create new ways to add value
There are also applications in which metal plays a highly visible role in product presentation. Cosmetics, beauty products, special kits, commemorative editions and collectible packaging use shapes, finishes and printing techniques to reinforce the identity a brand wants to build.
In these applications, characteristics such as texture, shine, shape, opening mechanisms and print quality can influence the consumer experience. The same metal base can take on very different identities depending on how its surface and structure are developed.
This creates possibilities for companies specializing in printing, decoration, finishes, design, components and closure systems. It also encourages collaboration between brands, packaging manufacturers and suppliers, particularly when the goal is to develop a solution that stands out on the shelf without compromising production efficiency.
Premiumization adds another dimension to this process, with packaging going beyond technical requirements to communicate positioning and increase perceived value, bringing creativity and industrial capabilities together in the development of solutions.
5. Where are the opportunities for suppliers?
There is room for companies supplying materials and components, as well as businesses specializing in technology, efficiency, finishing, control and environmental solutions. Some of the main areas include:
| Area of expertise | Demands that can create opportunities |
| Materials and coatings | Content protection, technical performance and suitability for different applications |
| Machinery and automation | Productivity, precision, process integration and production-line efficiency |
| Printing and finishing | Customization, visual differentiation and development of premium packaging |
| Lids, valves and closures | Safety, sealing, convenience and adaptation to a variety of products |
| Inspection and control | Quality, traceability, standardization and waste reduction |
| Efficiency and circularity | Better use of resources, recycling, reverse logistics and reduced environmental impact |
This landscape shows how highly specific improvements can find commercial applications. A solution that improves sealing, reduces waste, increases line precision or delivers a different finish already addresses a concrete need within the supply chain.
Looking only at the number of cans produced therefore tells just part of the story. Billions of units demonstrate the scale of the market, while the variety of applications and changes in production processes reveal how many different areas of expertise are involved.
6. OneCan brings together those who produce and those who transform the industry
A supply chain with so many applications, specialties and possibilities for innovation needs places where these different players can connect. This is the idea behind OneCan Metal Can Summit & Expo, the first event in Latin America dedicated exclusively to the metal packaging industry.
From April 6 to 8, 2027, at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, the inaugural edition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, brands and specialists from across this ecosystem. Raw materials, components, machinery, technologies, design, logistics and recycling will be among the areas represented, creating an environment where companies can showcase projects, learn about emerging demands and speak directly with professionals looking for answers to business challenges.
Taking part in this first edition also means staying close to the discussions shaping a segment that continues to develop new applications and requirements. A solution presented or a conversation started during the event can lead to contacts, partnerships and projects that continue well beyond those three days.
OneCan Metal Can Summit & Expo 2027
Where the industry’s new solutions come together
OneCan brings together metal packaging manufacturers, suppliers, brands and specialists in an event designed to connect companies developing solutions with those looking for new technologies, materials, equipment and partners. For exhibitors, it means three days to showcase their work, build valuable connections and take part in the conversations shaping the industry’s next steps.
7. Frequently asked questions about the metal packaging market
Is the Brazilian metal packaging market growing?
The aluminum beverage can segment has seen significant expansion over the past few decades. Sales increased from around 20 billion units in 2009 to 34.1 billion in 2025, representing growth of more than 70% in 16 years. Brazil also holds a prominent position among the world’s leading markets and producers.
Which industries use metal packaging?
Applications include beverages, processed and canned foods, aerosols, paints, chemicals, cosmetics, personal care products and other consumer goods. The characteristics of each product create specific requirements for materials, coatings, components, equipment and processes.
What opportunities are available to suppliers in the metal packaging industry?
Opportunities can be found across the supply chain, including materials and coatings, machinery, automation, printing and finishing, valves, lids and closures, inspection, quality control, traceability, logistics, recycling and solutions focused on production efficiency.
What is OneCan Metal Can Summit & Expo?
OneCan is the first event in Latin America dedicated exclusively to the metal packaging industry. Its inaugural edition will take place from April 6 to 8, 2027, at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, brands and specialists from across the supply chain.
