Innovating together for competitiveness

At Metpack in Essen, on stand A13 in Hall 3, ArcelorMittal invited its stakeholders to discuss on the solutions to ensure competitiveness of our industry

The global steel packaging market stays resilient, sustained by strong demand for durable, recyclable, and cost effective solutions. Nevertheless, strong competition, including from alternative materials, the essential need for CO₂ footprint reduction, and increasing regulations put pressure on European manufacturers.

As part of the solution, ArcelorMittal, as a European leader of steel for packaging, supplies all European steel cans manufacturers in Europe. At Metpack 2026, together with our stakeholders, we explored some of the solutions to remain competitive: co-development, low carbon solutions, innovations to make steel lighter, cost effective, and easy-to-use solution for the end-user.

Innovation for more sustainable solutions

Can manufacturers must innovate continuously to bring concrete value to the packaging market. Each year, we partner closely with our customers on high-impact development programmes across covering the all the main steel can components —from idea, early design simulations, to the implementation in the workshop. Some examples:

• Optimisation of the design of a can to support lightweighting objectives, or developing a new forming solution.
• Development of BPA-NI solutions, fully compliant with EU regulations and available
• Development of Cr-free solutions: CFPA tinplate and Low Tin Steel (LTS)
• Development and recommendation of thinner and harder easy-open end grades with our specific Maleis^® range
• Strong technical support and expertise

Tailored approaches and co-development

ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products has extensive on-going R&D lightweighting programmes carried out jointly with our customers. Our team of 30 specialists fully dedicated to packaging, located in Maizières, France, offer a wide range of services.

• Product selection and smart optimisation
• Customised support from the idea to the commercial ramp-up
• Design optimisation
• Advanced tools: Finite Element Analysis, 3D scanning, metallography, prototyping and tailored testing equipment (pressure resistance, opening force, and more)

XCarb^® steel certificates, another step towards decarbonisation

ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products’ effort-intensive investments on our journey to zero emission steels have resulted in considerable CO₂ savings. These savings are aggregated, independently verified, and converted into XCarb^® steel certificates.

• Based on CO₂ savings which have been audited by DNV, an independent body.
• XCarb^® steel certificates can be purchased in conjunction with a corresponding steel order
• Our customers can account for, and report, a reduction in their Scope 3 carbon emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.

About Metpack

Every three years Messe Essen with METPACK becomes the most important global meeting place for the international metal packaging industry. Numerous global players present sustainable and cost-efficient solutions for the production, refinement, painting and recycling of metal packaging at the world's leading trade fair. The METPACK Conference Programme and Innovation Award make the undisputed No. 1 in the industry. METPACK impressively demonstrates the level of innovation and knowledge of today and tomorrow.

.More info and registration: https://www.metpack.de/market-leader/