Tata Steel Nederland has commissioned a new can-making machine at its R&D facilities, Kallanish hears. It uses a dry forming process to produce food cans like those commonly found on supermarket shelves.
In a typical can-making line, small steel cups are first punched out, then stretched to form the sides of the can, Tata explains. In conventional processes, this generates heat due to friction, requiring cooling water that must then be washed off the cans – an energy- and water-intensive process.
Using its proprietary Protact steel and advanced internal cooling of the tooling, cans can now be formed in a dry process. This eliminates the need for emulsified water, reducing energy use and cutting the investment costs for customers.
According to Tata, the new line is faster than its predecessors and will be used to help further develop the latest technologies in packaging. Its line can produce up to 400 cans per minute, 25% more than the industry standard of 320.
Close collaboration with customers has already delivered results, Tata says. One example is Tata Steel’s partnership with Grupo Calvo, which led to the development of an innovative Protact tuna can. The polymer layer applied to the steel reduces the need for oil to keep the tuna fresh and make it easy to remove from the can, Tata notes.
Christian Koehl Germany
