2010: Impress announces “Year of the Can”

The metal can celebrates its 200th birthday this year, having evolved into an infinitely recyclable and modern packaging that daily meets a wide variety of consumer needs around the world.

Impress, a global market leader in the consumer metal packaging industry, together with other canmakers and industry bodies, is marking 2010 as “Year of the Can”. This milestone celebrates a product that today is seen in a multitude of forms, including paint cans, food cans, aerosols, and a wide range of speciality products.

The first ever “can” was, in fact, an airtight glass container, developed in the 18th Century by Parisian Nicolas Appert, in response to the French government’s request to find an effective way to preserve food. Appert’s samples were trialled at sea by Emperor Napoléon 1st and his soldiers. When each can was opened and its contents tasted, “every one had retained its freshness,” according to Appert. Thus, food preservation was born and Appert’s name became part of everyday language through the term “appertisé“ or sterilised.

Appert’s discovery took place in 1810. The same year, King George III awarded a patent to the metal can following English inventor, Peter Durand’s experimental work on canned goods. Durand’s work was based on Frenchman, Philippe de Girard’s research prior to 1810. Durand sold the patent on behalf of Girard to two other Englishmen, Brian Donkin and John Hall who set up the first canning factory, near London in 1812. By 1813, British troops were able to enjoy safe, nutritious food straight from the can.

From these early beginnings, canmaking has evolved to become a leader in packaging across the globe. Today, the can is an impressive package that is a byword for quality and content protection. Its outstanding, recycling record and constant lightweighting make it a very attractive and durable solution both for today and tomorrow.

“Technological advancement and high speed production lines now allow modern canmakers to produce up to 1000 cans per minute, a far cry from the days of handmade cans”, remarks Francis Labbé, CEO Impress. “As The Grocer publication so aptly reminded us all a few months ago, the can has been the greatest packaging innovation of the last hundred years. I am confident that the can - in all its differing forms - will also be the packaging for the 21st century due to its eco-compatibility, fantastic safety record and ability to keep adapting to changing consumer habits”, says Mr. Labbé.

Impress’ 2010 “Year of the Can” programme will include, among other events:

 International seminars in a number of different countries,
 selected visits by different interest groups to Impress’ R&D Centre in Crosmières, France.

Impress will issue ongoing announcements providing updates and details on the upcoming events.

As part of the “Year of the Can” initiative, click on one of the following links to view the highly commended Impress film “The Can Can”: Impress Film or MPMA.

For further information please contact:

Blanche Frankel: Press’Publica: Tel: +33 1 56 89 56 64; Fax: +33 1 56 89 56 50; e-mail: b.frankel@press-publica.fr
Mary Chapman Communications: Mary Chapman: Tel: +44 1452 720 208; Fax: +44 1452 723 724; e-mail: marychpm@aol.com