Industry: Rigid Packaging (Plastics, Glass & Metal) (Packaging)
Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/europe-metal-cans-market
Scraped Date: 2026-09-17
| Market Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Market Size | USD 19.92 billion |
| Projected Forecast (2031) | USD 19.92 billion |
| Growth Rate (CAGR) | 2.20 % |
| Largest Market Region | N/A |
| Fastest-Growing Region | Broader European Markets |
!Major players in Europe Metal Cans industry
!Europe Metal Cans Market Size
!Europe Metal Cans Market Share by Material Type, 2025
!Europe Metal Cans Market Share by Structure, 2025
!Europe Metal Cans Market Concentration
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Market OverviewStudy Period | 2020 - 2031 |
Forecast Data Period | 2026 - 2031 |
Base Year Market Size (2025) | USD 19.49 Billion |
Market Size (2026) | USD 19.92 Billion |
Market Size (2031) | USD 22.21 Billion |
Growth Rate (2026 - 2031) | 2.20 % |
Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Image © Vijeron Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
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Europe Metal Cans Market Analysis by Vijeron IntelligenceThe Europe metal cans market size was valued at USD 19.49 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 19.92 billion in 2026 to reach USD 22.21 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 2.20% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This steady climb reflects a mature yet resilient landscape in which stringent circular-economy rules, high recycling rates for aluminum and steel, and brand owner decarbonization targets jointly reinforce demand for infinitely recyclable packaging. Deposit-return systems that routinely exceed 90% collection rates, Germany’s upcoming 98% benchmark among them, underpin a dependable secondary raw-material loop that stabilizes supply. Ongoing PET-to-can conversion by craft brewers and premium ready-to-drink cocktail brands, together with e-commerce-driven aerosol demand, broadens the addressable volume base while expanding value per unit. Meanwhile, green-steel deployment and aluminum down-gauging temper emissions footprints and enable compliance with the European Commission’s requirement that all packaging be recyclable by 2030.[1]European Commission, “New Rules for a Sustainable Packaging Economy,” europa.eu Taken together, these forces keep the European metal cans market on a measured growth path despite raw-material cost volatility and substrate substitution risks.
Key Report Takeaways* By material type, aluminum captured 68.31% of the Europe metal cans market share in 2025.
Market Trends and InsightsDrivers Impact Analysis of Europe Metal Cans Market*Driver | (~) Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
High recyclability rates of metal packaging | +0.4% | EU-27, UK, Switzerland, Norway | Medium term (2–4 years) |
EU circular-economy regulations tightening in 2025–30 | +0.3% | EU-27 core, spillover to UK | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
PET-to-can conversion by craft brewers and RTD cocktails | +0.2% | Germany, UK, France, Netherlands | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Steelmakers’ low-carbon alloy launches cut Scope 3 emissions | +0.2% | Germany, France, Italy, Spain | Medium term (2–4 years) |
Deposit-return-scheme harmonization across EU-27 | +0.3% | EU-27, early gains in France, Austria | Medium term (2–4 years) |
Aerosol can growth in e-commerce home-care refills | +0.1% | Germany, UK, France, Netherlands | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Source: Vijeron Intelligence |
Competitive Landscape
Three global suppliers, Ball, Crown, and the newly enlarged Sonoco-Eviosys platform, jointly control roughly 60% of Europe's volume, marking a moderately consolidated field. Sonoco’s EUR 3.615 billion takeover of Eviosys in December 2024 delivered 44 plants across 17 countries, promising USD 100 million capture in two years.
Ball’s 39% EMEA beverage hold is underpinned by 36 billion annual shipments and reinforced by the Alucan acquisition that expands aerosol and bottle competency in Spain and Belgium. Crown divested its European tinplate division yet posted a 62% income rise in 2024 as favorable price/mix offset lower tonnage. Technology rivalry centers on down-gauging; Neuman Aluminium’s Neucan 3.1 cuts thickness 17.2% while stitching 25% post-consumer scrap into coil, slashing CO₂ output 40%.
Coating innovators AkzoNobel and PPG accelerate PFAS-free roll-outs; more than 20% of European beverage volumes now use non-BPA systems. Emerging niche players exploit gaps in refill aerosols and decorative specialty cans, but capital intensity and stringent ISO 14855 testing limit rapid scale-up, conferring an advantage to established incumbents in the European metal cans market.
Europe Metal Cans Industry Leaders* Ball Corporation
Image © Vijeron Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
For this market, we count the value of aluminum and steel can packaging sold across Europe for end uses such as food, beverages, aerosols, and other packaged products, measured in USD for a consistent comparison.
Scope exclusions: Closures, lids, and non-can metal packaging formats (such as drums, pails, and trays) are excluded unless sold as part of a complete can unit.
The market is valued at USD 19.92 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 22.21 billion by 2031.
Aluminum leads with 68.31% 2025 revenue share thanks to lightweight, infinitely recyclable attributes.
Food applications are forecast to rise at a 3.68% CAGR to 2031 as brands switch from PET and glass.
DRS programs secure more than 90% collection of used cans, feeding a closed-loop recycling stream that stabilizes raw-material supply.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, favoring mono-material metal cans over composite alternatives.
Hydrogen-based green steel and electric-arc furnaces are cutting energy and carbon, making steel cans more attractive for low-emission supply chains.