We track global packaging regulations and industry dynamics to help food packaging customers quickly adapt to the comprehensive upgrade of sustainable development policies. In 2026, a new round of mandatory recycling targets, carbon footprint control, recycled material usage, lightweight standards and cross-border trade rules are reshaping the production, application, packaging and supply chain of tinplate cans. Here is the key information you need to know.
1. Quick Overview
The impact of global sustainability policies on the tinplate can industry in 2026 focuses on four major areas: higher mandatory recovery rates, minimum recycled content ratios, full lifecycle carbon footprint disclosure, and mandatory lightweight & reduction indicators. For manufacturers focusing on food-grade two-piece cans, beverage cans and food cans, compliance is no longer an option, but a threshold for entering major markets in Europe, the US, Southeast Asia and China. Meanwhile, tinplate, with its natural advantages of 100% recyclability, high recycling efficiency, great lightweight potential and food-grade safety, continues to dominate the packaging replacement trend in 2026.
2. Key Sustainable Development Policies for Tinplate Cans in 2026
2.1 Full Implementation of EU PPWR
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) enters mandatory enforcement in 2026, requiring metal packaging to achieve a total recovery rate of no less than 90%, and food cans to meet a minimum recycled content ratio of ≥25%. At the same time, packaging products must be easy to disassemble, non-complex and highly recyclable, directly promoting two-piece cans and laminated iron cans as the mainstream choice.
2.2 Upgraded US Federal & State Packaging Recycling Acts
In 2026, the United States implements unified national packaging recycling targets. Food tin cans that fail to meet recyclable design standards will be subject to environmental surcharges. Meanwhile, the FDA has strengthened food contact material requirements, making high-quality two-piece cans with anti-rust, BPA-free and non-migration coatings more favored by major food and beverage brands.
2.3 New Rules for Low-Carbon & Recycling in China’s Food Packaging
In 2026, China will implement a packaging carbon footprint accounting and disclosure system. Metal packaging manufacturers must disclose product carbon emission data. The policy also promotes “can-to-can” premium recycling of tinplate and encourages the application of lightweight and thin-gauge food cans in prepared meals, canned food, beverages and dry food.
2.4 Higher Environmental Barriers for Imported Packaging in Southeast Asia & Middle East
In 2026, many Southeast Asian countries follow EU environmental standards, imposing three mandatory requirements on imported food cans: recyclability certification, lightweight indicators, and heavy metal limits. This is also the most important growth market and compliance focus for tinplate can exporters focused on two-piece structures.
3. Core Industry Data & Trends in 2026
- The global recycling rate of tinplate cans remains at 89%–96%, ranking first among all packaging materials, far higher than plastic and paper-plastic composite packaging.
- Global demand for food-grade two-piece cans will grow by 12%–18% year-on-year in 2026, with the fastest growth in lightweight, high-tin-coating, anti-corrosion and recyclable products.
- The popularization of lightweight technology reduces the material consumption per sheet by an average of 8%–15%, directly lowering logistics carbon emissions and customers’ overall costs.
- Tinplate cans using “can-to-can” premium recycling technology reduce carbon emissions by more than 65% compared with virgin materials, becoming the preferred procurement standard for brands.
- Low-end tin cans eliminated due to rust risks, poor coating and non-recyclable structures will shrink by more than 30% in mainstream markets in 2026.
4. Real Challenges Faced by Food Enterprises Under New Policies
- Exporting to Europe and the US requires recycling reports, carbon footprint documents and recycled content certificates, otherwise customs clearance and shelf access will be denied.
- Low-end tin cans are prone to rust, poor sealing and acid resistance, failing the dual standards of food contact safety and environmental protection in 2026.
- Non-compliant packaging faces multiple risks such as fines, delisting, seizure and brand reputation damage.
- Supply chain costs are rising, but high-quality, compliant and lightweight tin cans reduce long-term comprehensive loss.
5. Sustainable Packaging Solutions by Jima Container
As a professional manufacturer focusing on food-grade two-piece tinplate cans, Jima Container has prepared for the 2026 global sustainable policies in advance, providing one-stop compliant packaging solutions for customers in food, beverage, canning, prepared meals, dry goods and pet food.
- All series of two-piece cans comply with EU PPWR, US FDA and China food contact standards, easy to recycle with no complex structures, ensuring smooth customs clearance.
- Upgraded lightweight technology achieves quantitative reduction while ensuring strength, sealing, drop resistance and anti-rust performance, with lower material usage and carbon emissions.
- High-tin coating + food-grade double-layer structure completely eliminates rust risks, suitable for high-acid, high-salt and high-temperature sterilized food, with no leakage, deterioration or rust spots during long-term storage.
- Support recycled material customization and carbon footprint accounting, with authoritative certification documents available to help brands enter global high-end supermarkets and cross-border platforms smoothly.
- Stable large-scale delivery, focusing on food industrial two-piece cans, abandoning redundant gift-can designs, more suitable for automatic filling, high-speed production lines, long-distance sea transportation and storage.
Conclusion
2026 is the real implementation year of global sustainable packaging policies, and also a critical year for optimization and structural upgrading in the tinplate can industry. Two-piece cans with compliance, low carbon, lightweight, food-grade safety, high sealing and stable anti-rust performance will become the core choice for food enterprises.
With the core value of Experience, Refinement, Sustainability, Jima Container will keep up with global policy trends, accompany customers to seize new opportunities in 2026 with more stable quality, greener solutions and a more competitive supply chain.
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