In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why aluminium cans are the most suitable format for RTD products
- How sustainable cans are compared to plastic or glass bottles
- How aluminium complies with food and beverage safety standards for coffee can packaging
The way that modern customers drink coffee is changing. Traditionally, coffee was served in a mug or a paper-based takeaway cup, but ready-to-drink (RTD) products are more popular than ever. Their rapid rise in popularity aligns with ongoing consumer demands for products that are convenient – both to purchase and to consume.
For this reason, aluminium cans are the most common choice for chilled RTD coffees, such as canned cold brew or iced lattes. However, it’s not the only form factor on the market. You can also find glass bottles, plastic bottles, and cartons on retail shelves. That said, those choices have significant drawbacks that make aluminium cans the most suitable option.
To learn more about coffee can packaging and why it’s perfect for RTD products, I spoke to Rafał Wyrzykiewicz. He is the Production Manager at Hardtank, overseeing private label RTD production. Read on for his insight into coffee can packaging.
Why is coffee can packaging the best choice for RTD coffee?
The reasons for choosing coffee can packaging for RTDs are simple: they are physically durable and excel at preserving the coffee’s characteristics.
“At Hardtank, our goal is to make sure every sip of our RTD cold brew tastes as fresh and vibrant as the moment it was brewed,” Rafał tells me. “Aluminium cans give us the perfect balance of product stability, quality, and presentation.”
This is particularly important for coffee, which is a sensitive beverage susceptible to a number of environmental hazards. “They protect the coffee from light and oxygen, which are two main factors that cause flavour degradation,” he says.
Equally, coffee can packaging is compatible with treatment methods that further protect the liquid inside. “We use liquid nitrogen dosing to create a protective atmosphere inside the can, which helps preserve freshness and gives our nitrogen-infused drinks that beautiful cascade effect when poured,” Rafał adds.
“To make sure the flavour stays true, each can is coated on the inside with a special food-grade lining, preventing any contact between the beverage and the metal.” Normally, this layer consists of a coating made from epoxy resin, which preserves the drink’s flavour and also prevents the can from corroding.
These factors all contribute to aluminium cans being the ideal format for RTD coffee. “Cans are like a fortress for flavour – it stays exactly as our roasters intended,” he says.
Aside from the functional benefits, aluminium cans are also useful for businesses on a strategic level. “On the marketing side, cans give us more label space to tell the story behind the beverage,” Rafał explains. “A beautifully designed can is not only practical, but it’s also a pleasure to hold and a statement piece on any shelf.”
How sustainable is coffee can packaging?
Alongside these practical and marketing benefits, coffee can packaging is incredibly eco-friendly. This is one of the most pressing concerns in specialty coffee, with up to 43% of all consumers influenced by environmentally friendly coffee options. Compared to alternative options such as plastic or glass bottles, aluminium cans are especially sustainable.
“Aluminium is one of the most recyclable materials in the world,” Rafał tells me. “It can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. In many markets, cans have an extremely high recycling rate, and they require less energy to transport due to being lighter than glass bottles.” That means from a buyer’s perspective, you also pay less for shipping the product.
Not only is aluminium easily recyclable, but consumers are also more likely to recycle cans than other materials. A 2023 study found that in the UK, 81% of aluminium beverage cans were recycled, with a total of over 162,000 tonnes of aluminium packaging recycled in just that year. Globally, the recycling rate for aluminium is 76% – but 91% of plastic bottles aren’t recycled. When it comes to sustainability and recyclability, the choice is clear.
“By choosing cans, we’re not only protecting the coffee inside, but also taking a responsible approach toward reducing environmental impact,” he continues. “For us, it’s a win-win: better quality for the consumer and better choices for the planet.”
Equally, it’s generally easier for consumers to recycle coffee can packaging compared to plastic or glass bottles. While they need to remove labels and screw-top lids from bottles, cans require no separation before recycling.
This hugely simplifies the process, which is essential to ensure the packaging goes into the correct recycling stream. In the UK alone, more than 55% of people say they are confused about what they can and can’t recycle, so it’s essential to make the process as simple as possible.
Why are the alternatives to coffee can packaging unsuitable for RTD products?
Hardtank’s decision to use cans for RTD drinks goes beyond just sustainability. On a practical level, aluminium is high-performance across a number of metrics.
“When it comes to premium cold brew coffee, packaging isn’t just a container – it’s part of the preservation process,” Rafał explains. “Glass bottles, while popular, are heavy, breakable, and allow light in unless fully covered with labels or sleeves.
“PET plastic bottles may be lightweight, but they are more permeable to oxygen over time, which can shorten shelf life and compromise flavour. For nitrogen-infused drinks, both glass and PET can also be more challenging to handle under pressure.” Similarly, plastic bottles can degrade over time, potentially leading to customers consuming microplastics.
As such, aluminium coffee can packaging is clearly the ideal choice. “Aluminium cans simply outperform the others in terms of product protection, transport efficiency, and versatility,” he says. “Plus, thanks to their inner lining, they keep the coffee tasting fresh and pure from the first day of filling to the last day of shelf life. It’s why they’re our first and only choice for private label RTDs.”
In conclusion, coffee can packaging is the most suitable format for RTD drinks – whether it’s iced lattes, cold brew, or functional beverages. By working with Hardtank’s private label team, we’ll take care of compliance and sustainability, allowing brands to focus on creating their ideal RTD beverage.
Coffee can packaging for RTDs: Key takeaways for FMCG businesses
- Aluminium cans are the ideal packaging for RTD coffee due to their physical durability, protection against oxygen and light, and food safety.
- They often include food-safe linings to preserve flavour and prevent contact between the drink and the metal packaging.
- Aluminium is also incredibly easy to recycle, with a higher global recycling rate than alternatives like plastic and glass bottles.
Ready to learn more about Hardtank’s private label RTD services? Visit our website to learn more or schedule a free consultation.
Private label RTD FAQs
Why are aluminium cans better than plastic or glass bottles for RTD coffee?
Aluminium cans protect coffee from oxygen and light. They are also physically durable and lightweight, making them suitable for consumers to pick up and use.
Are aluminium cans safe for RTD coffee?
Yes. All of Hardtank’s RTDs are lined with a food-grade coating that prevents contact between the liquid and the metal, which also preserves its flavour.
How sustainable are aluminium cans?
Aluminium is an infinitely recyclable material, and recycling facilities are readily available. Global recycling rates are significantly higher for cans than plastic bottles, making them a more eco-friendly option.
Want to learn more about private label coffee?
- Discover more: Read about Hardtank’s RTD services here.
- Hear from experts: Watch our webinar on developing custom RTD beverages.
- Book time with the team: Schedule a free appointment here.
