However, the volume is small in European terms with the European can market consuming about 35 billion cans a year.
The Danish government said this week that the ban would end on January 23 and comes after the threat of court action from the European Commission. But, a deposit scheme is to be imposed on cans and bottles with the aim of ensuring that the containers are returned to shops and collectors. The deposit will be 1.5 Danish Crowns, about 1.3p, per bottle or can.
The aluminium industry expects the ban on cans to work in its favour rather than steel because the cans have a higher value than their ferrous counterparts.
A spokesman for the European Aluminium Association said: “Aluminium cans fit the system better as the value of the scrap can cover its costs,” he said. Allowing cans to be sold in Denmark is not expected to see many new beers enter the market which is dominated by Carlsberg with with around a 70% market share, and Bryggerigruppen with 20%.
Within the UK there has been little pressure to deposit schemes although the idea has been raised in Parliament in recent years.
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