Fillers

Can bodies and ends are sent to beverage drink manufacturers. When the cans have been filled the end is sealed on straight away to keep the drink carbonated.

How soft drinks are made

1. Purify water

Water is carefully filtered to remove any impurities.

2. Add flavouring

Flavourings made from natural and nature identical sources are laboratory tested, then added to a mixture of sugar (or artificial sweeteners for low joule drinks) and purified water. This forms the soft drink base.

3. Carbonate soft drink base

Carbon dioxide is added to the still drink in a carbonator under controlled high pressure and low temperature conditions.

4. Fill can

The carbonated drink is transferred under pressure to the filling machine. The end is placed on top and seamed shut. The can passes through hot water spray to bring it to room temperature to prevent condensation. Each can undergoes quality testing and receives a bar code.

5. Pack cans

Cans are carried by conveyor belt to a packaging machine where they are packed into boxes. The boxes are stacked on pallets and stored before distribution.

The role packaging plays

Packaging is essential as it protects the contents. The aluminium can provides the following benefits to the beverage maker:

  • fills quickly
  • chills easily
  • retains the flavour
  • is 100% recyclable
  • will not shatter
  • is rustproof
  • is easy to open with no lids or paper labels that end up as litter
  • lightweight and compact which makes transportation easier and cheaper
  • safe to carry and does not break.

Promotion

The Aluminium Can Group has a role to play in the marketing and the promotion of the aluminium beverage can.

To understand where to target its marketing programs the ACG relies on detailed data about the beverage market. This data identifies where consumers are purchasing their aluminium cans and whether a consumer is recycling that aluminium can. Check out the facts and figures section of this web site for some up-to-date information about the aluminium beverage can market.

Every year the ACG puts in place a number of programs that promote the benefits of the can to the consumer and the retailer.

The ACG use a number of techniques to promote the aluminium can depending on the focus of the program, for example:

  • Point of sale material - eg posters and displays in shops
  • Community announcements - eg announcements on radio or television
  • Media relations - eg interviews with representatives of the ACG to discuss the ACG programs.

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