According to Tata Steel, the key to the success of its collaboration is a new product called Protact which, it is claimed, offers a unique internal polypropylene (PP) layer which enabled the groundbreaking direct seal concept. This concept, it is claimed, eliminates the need for a traditional can ring and delivers a 24% steel weight reduction overall.
By using this coating, Grupo Calvo was also able to use its innovative Vuelca Fácil® or ‘Easy Flip’ aluminium film lid which allows the can to be opened easily and safely.
Tata claims that, in addition to weight reduction, the PP coating contributes to food waste reduction by enabling the tuna to slide cleanly from the upturned can with no residue left inside. Furthermore, the PP coating also allows for a 15% reduction in food oil to be made.
Protact’s wide choice of coating colours also means that shelf impact is 'greatly enhanced'.
Protact was also chosen for its inert three-layer polymer coating system which, it is claimed, offers excellent organoleptic properties to help ensure that the original taste of the packaged food is retained during the canning process.
Huib Simon, head of marketing packaging, Tata Steel, commented: “We were delighted to work with Grupo Calvo developing this can. BPA-free Protact is our leading-edge, polymer coated, food-safe product, and has now been extended to include new tailored variants further optimised for efficient and sustainable canmaking. The new variants encompass all formats – two-piece as well as three-piece cans, ends and components.
"Protact’s polymer coating system simplifies can making operations while lowering the environmental footprint, energy and water consumption and eliminating VOC emissions, makes it a must-see product at METPACK this year.”
Martín Barbaresi, marketing director of Grupo Calvo’s Europe division said that through Vuelca Fácil, the Calvo brand has found a new way of consuming canned tuna that is more efficient, convenient and sustainable.
“We have been shaping the evolution of one of the most widely consumed canned products in our country, with milestones such as low-sodium light tuna and, more recently, light tuna with 50% less fat, as well as Foodie tuna salads with edamame and chickpeas. Today, we continue to drive change with our new Vuelca Fácil packaging.”
