Working with packaging manufacturers Impress Group BV with 250,000 in funding from WRAP's Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund, the company believes it could save 1,400 tonnes of steel waste every year with the new can.
The can's new end has a thickness of just 0.18mm – beating the previous best by 0.02mm.
After trialling the new can at its can-making and filling factory at Kitt Green in Lancashire, Heinz now intends to convert its entire range of 200g and 400g cans to use the new lightweight can end.
Gerald Sturdy, technical director at Impress BV, said: “Lightweighting food cans is not as straightforward as it might first seem. Our 60 strong innovation team had to overcome a number of technical challenges to ensure that the integrity of the can – its look and feel, strength and behaviour – remained unchanged, whilst developing the lightest can ends in the industry.”
Phil Crompton, capital engineering department manager at Heinz, added: “This sets a new benchmark for the sector, and by sharing the challenges in adopting the new ends with colleagues in the canning industry, we are sure others will soon follow.”
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WRAP – the Waste and Resources Action Programme – has so far approved 4.2 million for 28 projects seeking to minimise packaging waste under its Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund since November 2004.
A further funding call was announced last month, with applications open until the end of March.
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