Europe Food Cans Market: Sustainability, Convenience & Future of Long-Life Packaging

The European food packaging landscape is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades. With sustainability moving from a trend to a mandate, metal food cans have re-emerged as a preferred packaging solution for consumers, manufacturers, and policymakers alike. According to Renub Research, the Europe Food Cans Market was valued at US$ 8.73 Billion in 2024, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.44% from 2025 to 2033, reaching US$ 10.82 Billion by 2033.

Unlike plastic-heavy alternatives, food cans deliver an unmatched mix of long shelf life, recyclability, contamination resistance, affordability, and convenience. The sector is supported by tightening packaging laws, growing environmental consciousness, urban transformation, rising working populations, and a booming ready-to-eat food culture across Europe.

What Makes Food Cans Essential in Europe?

Food cans are metal containers—mostly made of aluminum or steel coated with protective linings—that help preserve food by blocking light, air, water, and contamination. From vegetables, seafood and meat to soups, baby food and pet nutrition, these robust containers offer lock-in quality with minimal degradation over long durations.

The European market particularly values food cans for three core advantages:

✔ Long shelf life without refrigeration – critical for food security

✔ 100% recyclability with no loss of quality – supports EU circular economy goals

✔ Protection from contamination & external damage – ensures safety

In a continent where both sustainability policies and convenience-driven lifestyles define consumer behavior, food cans perfectly bridge functionality and responsibility.

Powerful Market Drivers Transforming the Industry

1. The Convenience Economy is Thriving

European consumers—especially in urban regions like Paris, Berlin, Rome and London—are continuously shifting toward packaged, ready-made, and easy-to-store foods. Busy routines, increasing work hours, and demand for instant meals have fueled consumption of canned products significantly.

Eurostat highlights that fast food spending in metro European cities surged 35% between 2022–2024, with over 60% of young consumers prioritizing convenience over preparation time. Canned meals, soups, curries, pasta, and ready-to-cook packs fit seamlessly into this lifestyle transition.

2. Sustainability Has Become a Non-Negotiable Purchasing Factor

The European Union continues to tighten packaging regulations to combat pollution and encourage recyclable product cycles. Consequently:

Companies are replacing older linings with BPA-free, non-toxic coatings

Manufacturers are designing lightweight, eco-friendly, and fully recyclable cans

Brands are investing in closed-loop aluminum and steel recycling programs

In March 2024, the European Parliament approved new framework reforms focused on:

🔹 eliminating harmful chemicals in packaging

🔹 ensuring recyclable components in all packaging formats

🔹 minimizing unnecessary packaging material

🔹 boosting reuse and recycled content

This regulatory pressure, combined with consumer awareness, is accelerating the transition toward greener food cans.

3. Packaged and Processed Food Consumption is Soaring

Urbanization, dual-income households, and rising penetration of supermarkets have pushed canned goods into everyday grocery routines. Moreover, rising preferences for:

Meat alternatives

High-protein instant meals

Canned seafood for omega nutrition

Pet nutrition with enhanced moisture content

Organic, low-sodium canned vegetables

…have broadened the product demand spectrum.

A notable product evolution was seen in 2022, when British plant-based firm THIS launched protein-rich canned ready meals in Tesco, indicating mainstream acceptance of canned alternatives beyond traditional offerings.

Market Obstacles That Are Reshaping the Industry

1. Lingering Consumer Concerns Over Can Safety

Although manufacturers are widely transitioning to BPA-free solutions, a portion of consumers still remains cautious about chemical exposure risks. This has driven stricter testing policies, increased R&D costs, and gradual production shifts.

2. Competition from Flexible & Biodegradable Packaging

Food companies are experimenting with:

Resealable pouches

Paper-based packaging

Glass jars

Compostable containers

These alternatives appeal especially to younger buyers, forcing metal can manufacturers to innovate rapidly in areas such as ergonomic design, coating safety, reduced metal weight, and aesthetic shelf appeal.

Product Segment Insights

1. Aluminum Food Cans

Aluminum leads in lightweight durability, corrosion resistance and complete recyclability. It is widely used in:

Soups & broths

Ready meals

Seafood packs

Vegetables

Manufacturers increasingly market 100% recycled aluminum cans to align with sustainability commitments while reducing carbon emissions during production.

2. Steel Food Cans

Steel remains dominant in:

Meat preservation

Pet food packaging

Thick soups and stews

Canned vegetables

Its strength and barrier protection make it ideal for oxygen-sensitive products. Vendors are now producing lightweight steel cans with food-grade linings to reduce metal usage while enhancing safety.

Application Segment Highlights

Ready Meals

Demand continues to surge due to:

Fast meal preparation

Increased take-home consumption post-pandemic

Expansion of microwave-friendly canned meals

Vegetables

Canned vegetables are among the most consumed categories due to:

Year-round availability

Cost efficiency

Introduction of low-salt and organic canned vegetable ranges

Pet Food

One of the fastest-growing sub-segments, fueled by:

Higher moisture retention vs. dry food

Premiumization of pet diets

Grain-free and natural canned pet food variants

Country-Wise Market Snapshots

🇫🇷 France

France leads in canned seafood, vegetables and premium ready meals. BPA-free regulations and sustainable purchasing habits are mainstream, pushing brands toward:

Gourmet canned food innovation

Organic product offerings

Traceable ingredient sourcing

In March 2022, delivery giant Gopuff expanded operations across French cities, stocking high-demand packaged goods and canned essentials, strengthening market accessibility.

🇩🇪 Germany

Germany prioritizes recycling compliance and circular economy standards. With some of the strictest packaging laws in Europe, the country drives innovation in:

Refillable container systems

Sustainable steel can development

Closed-loop metal recycling

A major industry development took place in August 2023, when Crown Holdings acquired Helvetia Packaging AG, adding nearly 1 billion units of can production capacity per year.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

British consumers are trending toward:

Organic, additive-free canned meals

Low-sugar and low-salt variants

“Healthy convenience” meals

In January 2024, NOMOQ introduced digitally printed aluminum cans for UK businesses, allowing customization and premium branding for food labels.

🇪🇸 Spain

A cultural powerhouse for canned gastronomy, Spain leads in:

Canned fish (especially tuna and sardines)

Olives

Pickled vegetables

High-quality canned delicacies are deeply rooted in regional food culture, making this market especially resilient to economic fluctuations.

Market Segmentation Overview

By Product

Aluminum

Steel

By Application

Ready Meals

Meat

Vegetables

Fish

Fruits

Powder Products

Pet Food

Others

By Countries

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Greece, Norway, Romania, Portugal

Key Companies Dominating the Market

Ardagh Group

Ball Corporation

Can-Pack S.A.

CPMC Holdings Limited

Crown Holdings Inc.

Nestlé S.A.

Zwanenberg Food Group

Silgan Holdings Inc.

Lucky Star Ltd. (Glenryck)

Sarten Romania SRL

Final Thoughts: A Sustainable Future in a Can

The growth of Europe’s food cans market is not merely driven by demand—it’s fueled by necessity. As sustainability becomes more than a buzzword, the industry is evolving to meet the expectations of:

Eco-conscious consumers

Busy urban professionals

Cost-aware households

Strict regulatory bodies

By 2033, the market will not just grow in value—it will grow in impact, becoming a cornerstone for safe, sustainable, and long-life food packaging.

📌 Europe isn’t just consuming canned food—it’s redefining it.