ABOUT CAN

About Aluminum Cans

How did cans come into existence?

From the evolution of aluminum cans to their unique features and benefits, we’ll take you on a quick journey to explore the wonders of this small yet incredible container!

・1809

The Origin of Canning

Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “An army marches on its stomach.” To meet his army’s food supply needs, he offered a reward of 12,000 francs for a method to extend food preservation. After ten years of relentless effort, Nicolas Appert finally invented canning, providing a stable food source for military expeditions and revolutionizing human nutrition.

・1810

The First Canning Patent

In 1810, British merchant Peter Durand was granted a patent by King George III for his ingenious method of preserving food in tin cans.

・1812

The First Canning Factory

Bryan Donkin founded the world’s first commercial canning factorycanning factory. In 1812, John Hall acquired Peter Durand’s patent for £1,000. After various experiments, Donkin collaborated with Hall and Gambrell to establish a canning factory in Bermondsey, the first to use canned food.

・1819

Canned Foods Imported to America

Thomas Kensett, Sr. initially used glass cans but found them expensive and prone to breakage, so he switched to tin cans.

・1820

Canned food on polar expeditions

During Sir William Edward Parry’s two expeditions to the North Pole in the 1820s, canned food was an important partner in overcoming the polar cold and ensuring his food supply.

・1849

The Invention of Canmaking Machinery

Henry Evans’ invention of the pendulum press revolutionized the traditional way of making cans.

・1896

Invention of the Double Seal Method

In 1896, New York canner Charles Ames perfected a method that applied a liquid rubber compound and double-sealed the lid and bottom, calling it the sanitary can.

・1900

Female Canning factory Workers

In the early 20th-century canneries, women handled tasks ranging from filling and labeling cans to working in the office. However, they were paid only 60 percent of what men earned.

・1901

Establishment of the American Can Company

The company was established in 1901 through the merger of several canning companies.

・1907

“Canning Fruit” A Good Way to Preserve Produce

In 1907, the Puyallup Valley in the northwestern United States was an ideal region for fruit cultivation. At that time, canning was the primary method for preserving fresh produce. Workers carefully selected, washed, and sliced the fruit, then packed it into metal cans and sealed them for preservation.

・1909

Early 20th Century Canneries

In the early 20th century, child labor was common in factories across the United States, and canning factories were no exception. Due to the lack of labor laws at the time, many factories hired children in large numbers to reduce costs. It wasn’t until the Fair Labor Standards Act was enacted in 1938 that the employment of child labor was banned, gaining important legal support from the government.

・1915

Growing Demand for Food Freshness

As people’s demand for food quality grows, the need for long-lasting canned food also increases.

・1930

The Modernization of the Canning Industry

The rise of the canning industry created many job opportunities, with many women entering this labor-intensive work to support their families. As demand for canned food grew, the industry underwent significant changes during this period. What was once handled by small, family-run workshops gradually evolved into independent businesses.

・1933

The birth of the first beer can

In 1933, Kruger, in collaboration with the American Can Company, became the first to produce beer in cans.

・1942

The Impact of the War

During World War II, military demand drove beer can production beyond 18 million units, and this production capacity eventually shifted to the civilian market.

To maintain the supply of cans during the war, the government urged the public to recycle used cans. Citizens delivered the cans to local collection agencies, which sent them to tin removal plants. The recovered metal was partially used to produce new cans, ensuring a steady supply for both soldiers and civilians.

・1943

War drives recycling technology

During the war, amid material shortages and depletion, the metal recycling industry rapidly developed, with metals like aluminum, tin, and iron being crucial materials. Wartime urgency drove innovation and progress in recycling technology, making metal recycling a vital tool for sustaining industrial production and military supplies.

・1957

The invention of aluminum cans

In 1957, aluminum can technology was introduced. Thanks to aluminum’s excellent ductility, the single-piece extrusion design greatly simplified production, offering advantages like corrosion resistance and perfect preservation of the beverage’s original flavor.

・1959

The Invention of the Pull Tab

During a picnic with family and friends, Ermal Cleon Fraze forgot to bring a can opener and had to use a car bumper to open his drink. This led him to invent a method of opening canned beverages without the need for an extra can opener. In early 1961, he presented his idea to the Aluminum Company of America.

・1963

Mass Production of Aluminum Beverage Cans

Mass production of aluminum beverage cans began in 1963, with production increasing significantly in 1967 when Coca-Cola and PepsiCo switched to aluminum cans. During this period, Alcoa developed the Easy-Open aluminum technology (patented by Ermal Cleon Fraze), and convinced the Pittsburgh Brewing Company to adopt it for its Iron City Beer in 1962. This technology was subsequently adopted by Schlitz and Busch Brewing Companies as well.

・1976

The Invention and Controversy of the Stay-On Tab

In 1976, Daniel F. Cudzik, an engineer at Reynolds Metal Co., was awarded a patent for the “Stay-On-Tab,” the modern aluminum can pull-tab that we use today. This design eliminates concerns about the tab sinking into the can or cutting fingers. In 1977, Ermal Fraze filed a patent application for his version of the “Stay-On-Tab” (the “Easy-Open Ecology End”), leading to a patent dispute that ultimately ruled in favor of Cudzik.

・2000

Modernization of Can Manufacturing Industry

As we enter the 21st century, awareness of environmental protection continues to rise, with sustainable resource utilization becoming a key focus across various sectors. In response, the aluminum can industry has actively promoted the lightweighting of its products. Through technological innovations, the thickness of can walls has been continuously reduced, effectively lowering the amount of raw materials used. This improvement not only cuts production costs but also reduces energy consumption during transportation, highlighting the environmental benefits.

Compared to the past, the unit weight of aluminum cans has significantly decreased, and this technological optimization is still ongoing. Aluminum possesses excellent recycling properties, with its recycling process requiring much less energy than the refining of virgin aluminum. Consequently, the aluminum can industry has begun building a robust recycling system, aiming to improve recycling efficiency. Many countries and regions have already established effective recycling mechanisms for aluminum cans and are actively encouraging consumers to participate in recycling efforts. Recycled aluminum can be used to manufacture new cans or other aluminum products, forming a sustainable circular economy that greatly reduces the consumption of natural resources.

With advancements in technology, aluminum can manufacturing has seen continuous innovation, including the introduction of high-speed production lines, the application of precision control systems, and the enhancement of printing technology. These technological breakthroughs not only improve production efficiency and lower costs but also significantly enhance product quality and aesthetics.

・1866

罐頭密封技術的開發

E. M. Lang發明了罐頭密封的專利。

・1902

The Beginning of Taiwan's Pineapple Canning Industry

The pineapple canning industry in Taiwan can be traced back to May 1902, when Okamura Shōtarō established the “Okamura Pineapple Manufacturing Factory” (also known as “Okamura Factory”) in Fengshan. Mr. Okamura, a native of Osaka, came to Taiwan in 1895 and ran a grocery store on Wuguan Street in Tainan. He recognized the potential of pineapple canning early on and began experimentation in March 1900. The following year, his trial products won third place at the Tainan County Agricultural Products Evaluation and started mass production in the same year.

Due to the limited pineapple harvest season, Mr. Okamura built a temporary factory outside the west gate of Fengshan Street in January 1902, closer to the production area. In March of the same year, he purchased new machinery to expand production capacity and held a groundbreaking ceremony in May. This factory became the first pineapple canning factory in Taiwan—Okamura Pineapple Manufacturing Factory.

・1908

Taiwanese canneries were established

After Okamura Shotaro, Taiwanese entrepreneurs Chen Zhenyin and Ye Jintu also entered the pineapple canning industry. Chen Zhenyin, who was optimistic about the prospects of pineapple cans, established “Ji Fang Trading Company” near the Taipei Sugar Company to gather industry resources and began production in 1908. In 1911, Ye Jintu founded Tai Fang Trading Company and started manufacturing pineapple cans in the form of a family-operated factory.

・1918

The Rise of Taiwanese Canning Factory

In 1918 (the 7th year of the Taisho era), Yeh Chin-tu established the Tai Fang Pineapple Factory in Niu Po Chuang, Dagas Gnubu Fort, which became the predecessor of the Tai Fang Chamber of Commerce’s First Pineapple Canning Factory in Taipei. At its peak, there were six modernized pineapple canning factories in Taiwan, including those in Yuanlin, Fengshan, and Dashu in Kaohsiung. The following year, in 1919, Toyo Can Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (established in 1917) purchased automated canning equipment from the United States, marking the beginning of its canning business.

・1922

Taiwan's Canning Industry

In 1896, New York canner Charles Ames perfected a method for applying a liquid rubber mixture to double-seal the lid and bottom of cans, which he named the sanitary can. In 1922, Toyo Can established a factory in Kaohsiung City, founding the “Toyo Can Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Kaohsiung Factory” to produce sanitary cans. Over the next decade, the number of canning factories in Taiwan increased eightfold, production grew 18 times, and exports surged tenfold. After rice and sugar, canned pineapple became Taiwan’s third most important industry, following bananas and tea.

・1931

Internal Competition in Taiwan's Canned Pineapple Industry

In 1931, the production of canned pineapple reached a historical peak, and prices plummeted due to an oversupply in the market. Under the Governor-General’s Office’s support for the “purchase control” policy, Toyo Can began consolidating major factories across Taiwan.

・1935

Taiwan's Food Canning Industry

As early as May 1902, Taro Okamura established the Okamura Pineapple Canning Factory. After that, numerous pineapple canning factories emerged in Taiwan, including Japanese-invested companies such as Hamaguchi Pineapple, Nippon Pineapple, Hamabe Canning Institute, and Hinode Foods. Taiwanese-invested companies included Tai Fong Chamber of Commerce, Chun Yee Chamber of Commerce, Nan Hwa Company, and Dah Hsin Pineapple, totaling several dozen companies. Subsequently, the Bureau of Colonial Development of the Taiwan Governor-General’s Office carried out industry consolidation to improve production efficiency. In June 1935, it established the Taiwan Contract Pineapple Corporation, the predecessor of Taiwan Phoenix Co. Following the establishment of the Taiwan Contract Pineapple Corporation, the pineapple industry was fully controlled by Japanese capital, including farms, factories, transportation, and sales. Other factories that could not produce canned pineapple were forced to switch to manufacturing other canned products, such as bamboo shoots, papaya, tomatoes, and canned aquatic products.

・1945

Impact of the war

After the outbreak of World War II, the production of the Taiwan Contract Pineapple Corporation was heavily impacted, and essential materials such as iron and steel were largely diverted for military purposes. Starting in the 1940s, due to the effects of the war, the Taiwan Contract Pineapple Corporation’s production gradually came to a halt and shifted towards manufacturing by-products in addition to pineapple cans. In 1945, it was renamed Da Fung Hsing Yip Co. After the war, Da Fung Hsing Yip Co. initially planned to continue operations under the ownership of overseas Chinese, but it was later requisitioned by the Administrative Office of the Republic of China.

・1960

The Era of Taiwan's Canning Industry

The containers required for canning are made from tinplate, which constitutes a significant portion of the canning costs. After the end of the war, the tinplate raw material had to be imported, and in the 1950s, it largely depended on U.S. aid to obtain tinplate. With the gradual recovery of the economy, canned food, which was originally export-oriented during the Japanese colonial period, gradually became an essential part of daily life for the people of Taiwan.

・1970

Taiwan Canned Food Reaches its Peak

In the 1970s, Taiwan Pineapple Company operated six canning factories with an annual production of 1.8 million cans. The Taitung Pineapple Canning Factory alone produced 800,000 cans and employed approximately 3,000 workers, with production lines operating in 24-hour shifts.

・1973

Great China Metal Ind. Co., Ltd. was Established.

GCM was established and began producing iron beverage cans.

・1975

The Origin of Aluminum Can Manufacturing in Taiwan

Established in 1935, the Japan Aluminum (Aluminum Industry) Co., Ltd. was taken over by the government after the war and became Taiwan Aluminum Co., Ltd. In the 1970s, when beer and beverages became increasingly popular in Taiwan, the company was also responsible for producing aluminum cans for beer. However, due to limited production capacity, it could not meet the rapidly growing domestic market demand. Recognizing this business opportunity, GCM began transitioning into aluminum can manufacturing and started large-scale production of easy-open aluminum cans the following year.

・1981

GCM started the high-speed aluminum can production line.

Established in 1973, GCM was originally engaged in the production of metal cans, but decided to transform into aluminum can manufacturing due to the optimistic demand for aluminum cans.

Aluminum Can Advantage

Environmental Safety

Aluminum cans are not easily eaten by wild animals because animals cannot bite through the metal. (PET bottles, made of plastic, are very soft for animals, making it easy for them to mistakenly ingest.)
Used aluminum cans can be 100% recycled indefinitely, processed and regenerated into aluminum ingots and then made into aluminum cans again, allowing for continuous recycling and reuse. Therefore, it is a very environmentally friendly material. In addition, most aluminum cans use eco-friendly lids, which not only make it safer to open the cans but also eliminate the need to discard the pull tabs, preventing environmental pollution.

Flavor preservation

Aluminum cans are manufactured using a stamping method, and the can body has no edge seal. This not only blocks gas but also provides a longer shelf life, making it easier to preserve the flavor of beverages compared to general packaging materials.
With excellent mechanical properties, such as high temperature resistance, humidity change resistance, and corrosion resistance, aluminum cans are also impervious to light and air. This makes them the most suitable packaging for nitrogen-filled low-acid beverages like beer, soda, fruit juices, and other carbonated drinks.

Convenient life

Aluminum cans are lightweight, which helps reduce transportation and handling costs. Their packaging is also strong and unbreakable, with good pressure resistance, making them easy to store and convenient to carry, adapting well to the fast-paced lifestyle of modern society.
Aluminum cans chill faster than other beverage containers such as PET bottles and paper packaging.
Aluminum cans are easy to manufacture as easy-open cans, making them simple to open without the need for a can opener.

Exquisite beauty

GREAT CHINA METAL

ECO(Slim) Aluminum Cans
VS
Conventional Aluminum Cans

ECO (Slim) Aluminum CansECO (Slim) aluminum cans use BPA-free coating technology, making the manufacturing process more energy-efficient and carbon-reducing. With a lower environmental impact, every step, from raw material selection to production processes, reflects our deep care and responsibility for the environment.

Characteristics of ECO (Slim) Aluminum Cans

ECO (Slim) aluminum cans are characterized by strong isolation, corrosion resistance, being environmentally friendly and lightweight, with high sealing properties and excellent printing performance. They are suitable for packaging a wide range of contents, realizing high efficiency, durability, and sustainability.

Product Safety

In recent years, there has been increasing concern over BPA (Bisphenol-A), which has been completely banned in key EU markets. This poses a potential challenge for metal cans. Coated aluminum can technology, with its polymer layer, ensures the highest safety standards for food contact, offering consumers and clients a higher level of packaging material.

Structural Strength

The polymer layer in ECO (Slim) Aluminum Cans enhances the structural strength of the can. According to statistics from the Japanese consumer market, the use of ECO (Slim) Aluminum Cans has resulted in a 60% reduction in complaints related to concave cans!

Content Preservation

As temperature rises, the preservation of flavor may vary slightly. ECO (Slim) Aluminum Cans have a lower flavor absorption rate compared to standard coated cans, allowing them to better maintain the original taste of the contents.

Appearance

During each stage of the production process, the polymer film layer acts as a buffer, preventing the aluminum from direct contact with metal surfaces and avoiding scratches on the outer edges of the cans.

What is the difference between
aluminum cans and steel cans?

	ALUMINUM	STEEL	DESCRIPTION
Weight	Lighter	Heavier	Aluminum is 1/3 lighter than iron, requiring less energy for transportation.
Rustproof	Will not rust	Prone to rust	Aluminum cans maintain the quality of the juice and beer inside for a long time without rusting or corroding.
Thermal conductivity	Higher	Lower
Usage	Mainly used for sparkling beverages and alcoholic beverages	Steel cans are primarily used for non-carbonated drinks and food items.
Ingredients	Aluminum	Tinned Steel
Recycling Process	Simple	Complex
Material Costs	Higher	Lower
Structural Strength	Weaker	Stronger	Steel cans are less prone to deformation.
Magnetism	No	Yes	The best way to determine if a can is aluminum or steel is to use a magnet. If the magnet attracts the can, it's a steel can.