Global pandemic
leaves mark on
aluminum aerosol
can industry
The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving a trail of devastation in its
wake in numerous branches of industry worldwide. Government
imposed curfews and restrictions on mobility, including
cross-border movement, and the complete or partial closures of
companies are causing considerable disruption within the tightly woven
international supply chains, according to AEROBAL Secretary
General Gregor Spengler, who is also Head of Packaging at
Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e. V. (GDA).
In many countries, packaging has already
been identified as a relevant part of the system
to supply the population with food, health
care and pharmaceutical products and is
accordingly exempted from state-imposed restrictions.
Consequently, grocery stores, drug
stores and pharmacies are staying open for
business to ensure the public is kept supplied
with the packaged food, personal care and
pharmaceutical products it needs.
However, the closure of shops in the hair care and beauty sector,
such as hairdressers, is reflected in the declining demand from numerous
customers in the aerosol can industry and in their ordering
behavior, said Spengler. Furthermore, uncertainty on the part of the
general public, reduced working hours and job losses are also having
an impact on consumer purchasing. Panic buying of food, sanitizing
products, hand cream and soap is being offset by cost-cutting
measures for other products, such as cosmetics, which lose their
fundamental importance for many consumers during times of crisis.
“Despite all the adversities caused by the crisis, however, the
continued operation of food, drug stores and pharmacies—coupled
with the packaging industry being recognized as an important part
of system-relevant supply chains—means that, with a few exceptions
in certain countries, the industry is far less affected by the cuts
than other industrial sectors,” stated AEROBAL President Leopold
Werdich.
“Certain market segments are even enjoying something of a temporary
boom in demand.”
The explosive increase in the production of disinfectants worldwide,
for example, is also creating unexpected business opportunities
for manufacturers of aluminum aerosol cans. The relevance of pharmaceutical
products that are indispensable for the patients who use
them, such as asthma inhalers become even more apparent during
crises like the one at present, AEROBAL said.
Manufacturers of aluminum aerosol cans offer solutions for numerous
hygiene and pharmaceutical products that meet the highest
hygienic requirements and take clients’ sustainability concepts into
account, said Spengler.
“While making the health of our own workforce a priority, our
industry will do its best to make a responsible contribution to ensure
the public has an uninterrupted supply of these important products,”
concluded Werdich. Spray
June 2020 SPRAY 19
Packaging manufacturers are important
part of system-relevant supply chain…