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| 13 Dec 2005 | |
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Corus Packaging Plus has developed a world-beating thinner material of 0.18mm for easy-open ends for food cans. The development, which has brought about a significant 10% material saving, was the result of a downgauging research programme undertaken by Corus with its customer Impress. Significant step Thicknesses of materials for easy-open ends have been relatively stable for some time, typically 0.22mm about 10 years ago. Over the last couple of years significant moves have been made to allow substantial downgauging to about 0.20mm. And now Corus has downgauged this even further to 0.18mm. “We are very proud of this development as it is a significant step forward in easy-open end downgauging.” says Paul Richards, Technical Account Manager, Corus Packaging Plus. “A major move has been with the use of Double Reduced products compared to the traditionally used Single Reduced variants. Corus has played a vital role in the development and application of materials suitable for this very demanding application. As a result of the research programme we have been able to produce and supply very significant volumes of material with a thickness of 0.18mm for easy-open ends.” Demanding application The material is now used by Impress on easy-open ends for H.J. Heinz cans in the UK. Impress won a Best in Metal Award for Technical Innovation. Both the quality and consistency of the mechanical properties of the material supplied by Corus Packaging Plus and the design of the end play crucial roles in meeting the requirements of this demanding application. “Corus Packaging Plus is continuing a longstanding tradition of being one of, if not the, leading supplier of tinplate and ECCS to the easy-open end market. ” concludes Paul Richards. Ends Corus Group Plc (LSE/AEX: CS, NYSE: CGA) is one of the world’s largest metal producers with annual turnover of over £9 billion and major operating facilities in the U.K., the Netherland, Germany, France, Norway and Belgium. Corus’ four divisions comprising Strip Products, Long Products, Distribution & Building Systems and Aluminium provide innovative solutions to the construction, automotive, rail, general engineering and packaging markets worldwide. Corus has 48,100 employees in over 40 countries and sales offices and service centres worldwide. Combining international expertise with local customer service, the Corus brand represents quality and strength.
Corus Packaging Plus is one of Europe's leading players in the packaging market supplying a comprehensive range of high quality products including polymer-coated steel. Corus Packaging Plus supplies light gauge steel to more than 50 countries worldwide from plants in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Norway and Belgium. The commercial headquarters of Corus Packaging Plus is at IJmuiden, The Netherlands. For further information, please contact: Susan van der Steenhoven
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