Dry Forming Technology Redefines Food Can Production with Sustainable Steel Packaging

A groundbreaking shift in food can production is underway. Tata Steel Nederland has introduced an advanced dry forming technology at its R&D center in the Netherlands, aiming to make food cans faster, cleaner, and more sustainable.

This state-of-the-art bodymaker operates without using any emulsified water, unlike traditional processes that rely on water for cooling high-friction tooling. Instead, it uses internally cooled tooling and a new material called Protact — a polymer-coated steel that enables high-speed, dry forming production of up to 400 cans per minute, outperforming the industry average by 25%.

With Protact’s built-in polymer layer, there’s no need for chemical lacquers or tin coatings, yet it still meets the strictest food safety regulations. Production lines are shorter, cleaner, and more efficient — aligning perfectly with global sustainability goals.

Learn more about this innovation from Tata Steel Nederland’s official site, a leader in sustainable steel packaging.

This dry forming breakthrough has already led to practical applications. In collaboration with Grupo Calvo, Tata Steel developed a lighter and cleaner tuna can, reducing oil use, improving product release, and cutting transportation costs thanks to optimized steel usage.

Steel remains one of the most circular packaging materials on the market. In the Netherlands, over 95% of steel cans — such as those used for vegetables, fish, or beans — are successfully recycled into new steel. With excellent magnetic properties and long shelf life, steel cans continue to be a top choice for sustainable food packaging.

At Jinyu, we are closely tracking these global developments in green packaging technologies. As a leading custom tin can manufacturer in China, we are dedicated to offering eco-friendly, durable, and fully customizable tin box solutions that support a low-carbon future.

Looking to upgrade your packaging with sustainable, innovative tin cans?

Contact us today to explore custom options tailored to your brand.