The industry has responded to the growing environmental awareness and the changing demands of manufacturers and consumers. One of the most important trends is the reduction of material and weight. Through continuous research and innovative production processes, packaging steel is becoming thinner and lighter without losing stability.
That material savings can also be achieved through design optimization is well demonstrated by Muhr & Söhne’s patented triangular seam. Developed and patented by us, this construction makes MUHR packaging what it is: stronger, tighter, and more economical. The same stability with less material! For over 25 years, we have been reducing material usage and save valuable resources. Another example is the evolution of tinplate cans, which today are significantly lighter than they were 30 years ago. For instance, the weight of a three-piece tinplate food can has been reduced by nearly half over this period, while the sheet thickness has decreased by almost one-third.
Another crucial trend is the demand for CO2-reduced packaging solutions. More and more companies are integrating sustainability into their business strategies and looking for materials that reduce CO2 emissions in production. This has led to the development of products like bluemint® recycled, a tinplate with significantly reduced CO2 emissions. It retains the same material properties as conventional tinplate but cuts production emissions by 62 percent. This shows that the steel industry is actively working to lower its energy consumption and minimize the CO2footprint of its products. We at Muhr & Söhne have also been using this material for several years to create our packaging solutions. Furthermore, some time ago we switched to chrome-free tinplate and were one of the first adopters of thyssenkrupp Rasselstein’s innovative CFPA technology.
The recyclability of tinplate also plays a central role. With a recycling rate of approximately 90 percent in Germany, packaging steel is effectively kept in the material cycle. Recycling saves up to 70 percent energy in production compared to primary production. Additionally, companies like thyssenkrupp Rasselstein are promoting their own take-back systems to secure the resource cycle and ensure correct disposal.
Beyond ecological aspects, there are also functional trends aimed at improving consumer experience. A good example is the growing use of easy-open lids, which make opening cans more convenient.
Overall, the tinplate and steel industries are undergoing a transformation. Muhr & Söhne and its suppliers are responding to these global challenges by driving technological innovations to make materials more sustainable, lighter, and more efficient.
Source: among others, Interview with Clarissa Odewald – “Change in the Tinplate Industry: Cans Are Getting Lighter,” Fachpack 2025 (link), and own research.
