Converting

Members of Empac, the European metal packaging association, have commissioned a carbon footprinting of some of their products and results should be revealed at Interpack in April.

The project has been assisted by Environmental Resources Management (ERM), the environmental consultancy, and an independent organisation is measuring the products' footprints.

Francis Labbé, chief executive of metal packager Impress, speaking at the launch last Friday (15 February) of a book marking the group's first 10 years, said metal packaging could help in the UK's efforts to tackle landfill because of its ability to preserve food and its high recycling rate.

Labbé said Impress and Empac would promote a positive message about metal's benefits rather than attack other materials.

Impress also hopes to roll out two microwaveable cans made using Creasteel, a high-draw steel that enables the creation of novel shapes.

The containers have a shallow design and a large open surface area. One is a 650ml triangular shape and the other a 450ml round design.

The development comes after a Fraunhofer Institute study, 'Microwaveability of steel and aluminium packaging', showed shallow and wide open metal containers were safe to heat food in microwave ovens.

Metal lids must be removed completely and only one container heated at a time.