From plastic to aluminum: how KEGSYL makes kegs more sustainable, safe, and brand-defining

THE LIMIT OF TRADITIONAL PLASTIC CLOSURES

For years, sealing kegs of beer, soft drinks, or wine on tap was largely overlooked: a simple, standard plastic cap was used.

Today, things have changed. In a market focused on reducing environmental impact and ensuring consistent quality, sealing has also become a strategic step.

This is where aluminum foil comes into play: it’s no longer an abstract idea, but a concrete alternative to plastic, capable of combining sustainability, precision, and a competitive advantage throughout the entire supply chain.

ALUMINUM: SUSTAINABLE AND DISTINCTIVE

100% and infinitely recyclable, aluminum retains its value even after use and does not require complex disposal processes, unlike plastic. But sustainability is just one of its advantages: the foil ensures a precise and uniform seal, protecting the product throughout the entire supply chain.

Furthermore, the ability to customize the foil transforms the seal into a distinctive element, strengthening brand recognition and combining technology and communication in a single production process.

SMART KEGS: SEALING ACCORDING TO KEGSYL

The real innovation, however, lies in the technology of the machines that make its application possible.

KegSyl is not just a machine; it is a patented technology that is redefining beverage packaging and is unique in the keg industry. Working directly from an aluminum reel, it generates the seal on the spot, cuts it to size, and heat-seals it to the keg neck automatically and precisely.

It’s not just a change of material: KegSyl transforms a traditionally secondary step into a truly technological operation, improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing the product.

Learn all about KegSyl here: https://KegSyl.com/

Aluminum is 100% and infinitely recyclable. In 2024, Italy recovered 68% of its packaging, avoiding 440,000 tons of CO₂. Here are five key rules for recycling aluminum cans effectively.

ALUMINUM IS A CIRCULAR TREASURE, AND CANS ARE ITS SYMBOL.

Cans are the ultimate icon of aluminum recycling: lightweight, ubiquitous, recognizable, and above all, infinitely recyclable without losing quality. A daily gesture (opening a soda, finishing the contents, holding the can in your hand) is the beginning of an industrial process that transforms waste into a resource. It’s no coincidence that 130 cans are enough to make a scooter: a figure that gives an idea of ​​the often-overlooked value we hold in our hands.

In 2024, Italy recycled over 68% of its aluminum packaging, achieving a 95% energy saving compared to primary production and avoiding over 440,000 tons of CO₂. A powerful and technologically advanced supply chain, coordinated by CIAL, but one that remains fragile unless citizens’ behavior intervenes upstream. It all starts in the kitchen, in bars, in offices: everywhere a can is consumed. That’s where it’s decided whether that aluminum will come back to life or not.

THE 5 GOLDEN RULES FOR RECYCLING EFFECTIVELY AND SAVING CANS FROM LANDFILL

To truly recycle cans and all aluminum packaging, just follow five simple but fundamental rules.

1. Understand what to dispose of

Not just cans: thin sheets, trays, spray cans, caps, tubes. If the aluminum is solid or predominantly aluminum, it should be disposed of in the designated container according to local regulations. Even small pieces count, as long as they are recognizable.

2. Don’t wash it: just empty it

The can doesn’t need to be washed. Just remove any liquid residue: using water to clean it is a wasteful process. The systems work very well even with harmless micro-residues.

3. Separate when possible

If a package has components made of different materials, separating them helps improve the quality of the recycling. Aluminum with aluminum, plastic with plastic.

4. Dispose of it in the correct container

In many municipalities, aluminum is collected together with plastic and metals, in others with glass or in dedicated containers. Following local regulations is essential to avoid dispersing recoverable material.

5. Crumpling: the decisive gesture

This is the simplest rule, but also the most crucial. Crumpling aluminum allows the facilities to recognize and recover it without error. If left flat or scattered, many items risk disappearing along the sorting conveyors. Crumpling them makes them physically interceptable.

In Italy, 100% of the aluminum produced comes from recycling: a strategic supply chain based on a daily gesture. Every recycled can is raw material for a new production cycle.

Amid sustainability, product protection, and efficient logistics, aluminum cans are surpassing glass in beer packaging, with market forecasts pointing to strong growth through 2034.

CAN VS. GLASS: PROTECTION, LIGHTNESS, AND FRESHNESS

The global beer packaging market is showing steady growth. According to Grand View Research, the sector is expected to rise from approximately USD 25.66 billion in 2024 to USD 32.36 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.0%. Another study confirms a similar trend, projecting an increase from USD 25.80 billion in 2024 to USD 39.31 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 4.3% (source: towardspackaging.com).

In this context, aluminum cans remain the winning choice over glass, offering:

• Superior protection: they shield beer from light, oxygen, and moisture, preserving aroma and freshness.
• Simplified logistics: lightweight, shatterproof, and easy to transport, cans require no bottle opener, making them ideal for e-commerce and modern markets.

In the United States, in 2023, 64.1% of beer sold was packaged in cans, compared to 26.9% in glass (source: packagingdive.com), confirming the global trend toward more practical and sustainable solutions.

SUSTAINABILITY, MARKET TRENDS, AND THE RESILIENCE OF CANS

The choice of packaging material significantly affects the environmental footprint of beer. Switching to aluminum reduces the product’s environmental impact by an average of 12%, with peaks of up to 15% across the full production cycle (source: Global Market Insights Inc.).

Cans also contain 3 to 20 times more recycled material than glass or PET, making recycling more efficient and widespread (source: Beer CPA). This sustainability is mirrored in consumer preferences: in the U.S. in 2023, most beer sold (64.1%) was packaged in cans, far surpassing glass at 26.9% (source: packagingdive.com).

The global beer packaging market is expected to continue its expansion in the coming years. Between 2024 and 2030, significant growth is anticipated, with market values estimated between USD 24.8 billion and USD 41.2 billion, and a CAGR of 4.7% (source: Future Market Insights). Key drivers include premium packaging, sustainable solutions, and e-commerce.

However, challenges and opportunities remain. Aluminum is subject to the volatility of trade policies, such as tariffs increasing up to 50% in the U.S. Nevertheless, the rising use of recycled aluminum, which is not subject to duties, mitigates risks for producers. Glass, while still an alternative, is more expensive to transport, reinforcing the resilience and cost-effectiveness of cans over the long term.

Every properly recycled aluminum can becomes raw material for a new production cycle, ensuring value and sustainability. A daily gesture that represents a concrete contribution to the circular economy.

For Ecocap’s, 2026 promises a year full of strategic opportunities to expand the company’s presence in international markets.

2026 TRADE FAIR PROGRAM

Participating in international trade fairs is a key moment for Ecocap’s to build new connections and strengthen existing business relationships.

The company has always valued direct engagement with customers, distributors, and partners, seeing it as a unique opportunity to showcase innovative solutions, discuss industry developments, and generate new business opportunities.

In 2026, Ecocap’s will be present at a particularly rich calendar of events, allowing the company to maintain a strong presence in strategic markets while exploring new growth opportunities.

Key events for Ecocap’s:

• January 26–27 – Marcus Evans, Las Vegas, USA
• April 14–16 –  Warsaw, Poland
• April 28–30 – International Brews Strategies, Barcelona, Spain
• May 5–8 – Metpack, Essen, Germany
• May 19–21 – ANTAD, Guadalajara, Mexico
• June 2–4 – ProPack MENA, New Cairo, Egypt
• October 28–29 – Brew Asia, Vietnam
• November 3–5 – Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai, UAE
• November 10–12 – BrauBeviale, Nuremberg, Germany
• November 18–20 – Drink Japan, Tokyo, Japan

GROWTH PATH

Such a full calendar underscores Ecocap’s commitment to strengthening its global presence and building lasting relationships with key industry players.

Each fair represents a strategic opportunity not only to showcase innovative solutions and expand the company’s offering but also to explore new partnerships and anticipate trends in the most dynamic markets.

This growth path is built on three fundamental pillars: continuous innovation, synergies with selected partners, and a consistent, recognizable presence in the most competitive international arenas.

Global demand for aluminum continues to grow, with production for cans expected to rise steadily through 2029.

ALUMINUM: GROWING MARKET, ANALYSIS AND OUTLOOK

An increasing number of consumers are choosing sustainable products, and the aluminum can market is benefiting from this trend.

The sector is expected to grow from USD 33.64 billion in 2023 to USD 34.84 billion in 2025, reaching USD 43.37 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% in recent years.

According to the aluminum industry report (Alcircle), this rapid and steady growth is driven by consumers favoring more eco-friendly and health-conscious purchases, prompting the packaging sector to focus on recyclable and sustainable materials. It has also been noted that the shift to aluminum cans reduces environmental impact compared to glass.

BEER IN CANS AND BEVERAGES ARE DRIVING GROWTH

Among the main types of cans, those used for beer remain particularly popular due to their recyclability, light weight, ease of transport, and storage efficiency.

The beverage can sector is driven by factors such as environmental regulations, recycling policies, consumer preferences for low-impact products, and technological innovations in aluminum production.

Global demand is growing especially in emerging markets, where urbanization processes and rising per capita income are supporting the consumption of packaged beverages.

The Cassoli Group strengthens its social commitment by continuing to support the Il Sole Solidarity Emporium and the AGITO association in their Pet Therapy project at the Rizzoli Hospital.

CASSOLI GROUP CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE “LATTE AL SOLE” INITIATIVE

For the third consecutive year, the Cassoli Group is delighted to renew its support for the “Latte al Sole” project.

Latte al Sole, a project promoted by the Il Sole Solidarity Emporium in Casalecchio di Reno, is an initiative that benefits twice: it provides tangible assistance to families in need and offers students of the A. Serpieri Agricultural Institute a farm-to-table experience. They work to collect locally sourced milk, purchased from local farmers, and transform it into yogurt and cheese, which will then be distributed to families in need.

A clear example of how collaboration between companies and schools can promote and spread good practices at all ages and in all contexts, igniting hope for a brighter and more inclusive future.

WE SUPPORT PET THERAPY: AN ALLIANCE FOR MANY SMILES

In a shared desire to do good, the Cassoli Group, AGITO – the Association of Parents Together with Bone Tumors, and the ChiaraMilla amateur sports association have collaborated on a Pet Therapy project for children and adults in the oncology departments of Rizzoli Hospital.

Studies and research show that pet therapy brings concrete benefits in various areas: psychological and emotional, cognitive, physical and social.

This confirms how a synergistic collaboration between companies, associations, and healthcare institutions can generate a significant impact with concrete results. This is invaluable assistance that the Cassoli family is happy to support.

It’s more than just pet therapy: it’s a humane gesture and proof that together we can do more.